NAND KISHORE Vs. SUSHMA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner has challenged the order dated 22.10.2009, passed by the learned Additional District Judge, Bandikui, District Dausa, whereby the learned Judge has allowed the application filed by the respondent wife and has directed the petitioner to pay Rs. 2,000/ - per month as maintenance to the respondent -wife.

(2.) THE brief facts of the case are that on 21.12.2006, the petitioner filed an application under Section 12 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 ('the Act', for short) against the respondent -wife for dissolution of marriage before the learned Additional District Judge, Gangapur City. On 17.05.2007, the said application was decreed ex -parte in favour of the petitioner. Thereafter, in 2007, the respondent -wife moved an application under Section 9 Rule 13 CPC. On 26.02.2008, while quashing and setting aside the ex -parte order dated 17.05.2007, the said application was allowed. The proceeding under Section 12 of the Act is still pending before the learned ADJ. In the proceeding under Section 12 of the Act, on 12.05.2008, the respondent filed an application under Section 24 of the Act seeking interim maintenance. The petitioner filed reply to the said application. Vide order dated 18.11.2008, the learned ADJ, Gangapur City dismissed the application filed by the respondent on the ground that since the respondent is getting Rs. 2,000/ - per month as maintenance in complaint No. 164/2007 filed under the provisions of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, therefore, no maintenance can be awarded under Section 24 of the Act. In complaint No. 164/2007, the learned ACJM, Bandikui finalised the matter on 31.08.2009 and awarded a sum of Rs. 2,000/ - per month as maintenance to the respondent. However, subsequently the respondent has filed an application under Section 9 of the Act for restitution of conjugal rights before the learned Additional District Judge, Bandikui. In the proceedings under Section 9 of the Act, the respondent has moved another application under Section 24 of the Act for maintenance. The petitioner filed reply to the said application and stated that there is already an order for maintenance of Rs. 2,000/ - in favour of the respondent passed by the learned ACJM, Bandikui and that the application filed by the respondent under Section 24 of the Act has already been dismissed by the ADJ, Gangapur City, thus, the application is not maintainable and the respondent is not entitled to get the maintenance from different courts. However, vide order dated 22.10.2009, the learned Judge allowed the application of the respondent, and awarded a sum of Rs. 2,000/ - per month as maintenance. Hence, this appeal before this Court.

(3.) ON the other hand, Mr. K.S. Rawat, the learned Counsel for the respondent, has strenuously contended that Rs. 2,000/ - per month which are paid to the respondent are not by way of maintenance, but are by way of an amount to be paid for attending the proceeding in the court.