Hindu Marriage Act – Divorce on Ground of Cruelty – Decree of Divorce – Permanent Alimony – Appeal Dismissed – Matrimonial Dispute – Allegations of Cruelty – Marriage between Appellant-Wife (Group 'A' Officer in Indian Railway Traffic Service) and Respondent-Husband (Advocate) solemnized on 25.01.2010 – Parties separated on 08.03.2011 – Husband filed for divorce under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – Family Court decreed divorce on ground of cruelty – Wife filed appeal under Section 19 of the Family Courts Act, 1984 challenging the decree and seeking permanent alimony – High Court dismissed the appeal [Paras 1–2, 4, 10, 18–19, 90–92]

Mental Cruelty – Proven Use of Abusive and Derogatory Language – Husband relied on text messages sent from Appellant’s phone using language such as "bastard", "son of a bitch", suggesting illegitimacy, and calling Respondent’s mother a "prostitute" – Family Court found the messages proved and corroborated by Section 65B certificate – Explanation by Wife that messages were fabricated or sent by Respondent using her phone was rejected as an afterthought – Held: Use of such language caused grave mental cruelty and mental agony – Messages alone sufficient to constitute cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia) HMA [Paras 5, 23–25, 54–57]

Conduct of Appellant – Pattern of Abusive and Hostile Behaviour – Additional incidents corroborated cruelty: slapping husband, refusal of conjugal relations, forcing his parents out of home, demeaning language during Durga Puja and in presence of Appellant’s parents – Family Court relied on uncontroverted testimony of Respondent – High Court held such behaviour established cruelty by cumulative effect, not isolated incidents [Paras 6–9, 58–59]

Counter-Allegations by Wife – Not Substantiated – Allegations of husband locking her inside home, coercion to misuse official position, caste-based comments, and emotional abuse found vague and uncorroborated – High Court held counter-allegations could not displace proved acts of cruelty by the Appellant – Mere assertion of cruelty by both sides does not negate cruelty established by one party [Paras 11–17, 20–27, 60–61]

Condonation – No Proof of Resumption of Cohabitation – Wife claimed parties resumed cohabitation between 2011 and 2013 – No documentary or material evidence produced – Family Court held that no intent of condonation was established – High Court affirmed that condonation requires conscious forgiveness and restoration of marital relations, which was absent in this case [Paras 17, 23, 62–63]

Frivolous Litigation – Not a Ground to Deny Divorce – Appellant alleged multiple false cases filed by Respondent and his mother – Some cases dismissed for non-prosecution – Family Court acknowledged some conduct of Respondent was undesirable – However, held that this could not justify wife’s cruelty – High Court upheld this reasoning, holding two wrongs do not negate cruelty proved by one spouse [Paras 15–16, 64–65]

Appellant’s Demand for Money – Conditional Consent to Divorce – Appellant stated willingness to accept divorce if paid Rs. 50 lakhs – This demand recorded in cross-examination and Family Court’s order sheet – High Court held this showed financial motivation behind opposition to divorce – Reiterated that spouse cannot resist divorce only for monetary gain without intention to continue matrimonial life [Paras 36–38, 75–79]

Permanent Alimony – No Entitlement Established – Appellant is a financially independent senior government officer with substantial income and benefits – No evidence of economic hardship, dependents, or medical condition – High Court held no justification for award under Section 25 of HMA – Permanent alimony is an equitable relief for genuine financial need, not enrichment or equalization of status [Paras 30, 80–88]

Admissibility of Evidence – Section 65B Compliance – Electronic evidence accompanied by certificate under Section 65B of Indian Evidence Act – Family Court noted and showed certificate to Appellant’s counsel during cross-examination – Section 14 of Family Courts Act allows liberal admissibility of relevant documents even without strict compliance with Evidence Act – High Court upheld Family Court’s approach [Paras 28–29, 68–73]

Irretrievable Breakdown – Parties lived together for barely one year – Separated for over 14 years – Series of litigations and failed reconciliations showed relationship was beyond repair – Marriage held to have irretrievably broken down – Divorce confirmed on that basis as well [Paras 30, 67]

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Decree of divorce under Section 13(1)(ia) HMA upheld – No merit found in claims of condonation or entitlement to permanent alimony – Parties to bear their own costs [Paras 90–93]

Local Bodies – Panchayat Jurisdiction – Obstruction of Pathway – Petitioners issued notice by Gram Panchayat to remove obstruction allegedly placed on public pathway – Petitioners claim the pathway lies within their granted land – Dispute also pending in O.S. No. 299/2017 before Civil Court – Held: Since matter involves disputed questions of title and access, and civil suit is pending, parties must maintain status quo [Paras 1–4, 7]

Civil Procedure – Overlapping Jurisdiction – Parallel Proceedings – Pending civil litigation between parties on the same issue of public pathway and property ownership – Court held that administrative directions by Panchayat must await outcome of civil suit – Interim arrangement to remove obstruction only to facilitate access pending adjudication [Paras 4, 7, 9]

Commissioner’s Report – Factual Assessment – Court-appointed Commissioner confirmed presence of obstruction (laterite bricks) on disputed pathway used by respondent and other residents – Court relied on Commissioner’s factual findings to issue interim relief and protect access of residents [Paras 6–7]

Interim Directions – Maintenance of Access – Petitioners directed to remove obstruction on disputed passage pending civil court decision – Failure to comply will authorize Panchayat to remove obstruction and recover costs – Rights and contentions of parties reserved for adjudication in O.S. No. 299/2017 [Paras 9–10]

Decision: Writ petition disposed of – Petitioners directed to remove obstructions within one week – Panchayat authorized to act if petitioners default – All issues left open to be decided in pending civil suit [Paras 9–10]

Civil Writ - Recruitment Process – Assistant District Attorney (ADA) – Screening Test – Legality of Syllabus – Petitioners challenged the screening test syllabus notified under Advertisement No. 18 of 2025 for ADA posts which excluded legal subjects – Court held that the post of ADA being legally specialized, excluding legal subjects from the screening stage was arbitrary and lacked rational nexus with the object of selection – Such exclusion renders the process legally unsustainable and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution [Paras 40-44, 56-66]

Equal Opportunity – Article 16(1) Violation – Petitioners argued that majority of candidates were being unfairly ousted at the first stage without testing legal acumen – Court held that elimination of more than 85% aspirants based on a test devoid of legal subject matter amounts to denial of equal opportunity in public employment – State cannot justify exclusion based on logistical convenience – Screening process must fairly reflect core qualifications [Paras 45-55]

Statutory Compliance – Article 320(3)(b) and HPSC Regulations – Court found that altering the recruitment methodology including syllabus without prior consultation with the Government and in violation of Clause 41 & 42 of the 1973 Regulations was contrary to constitutional and statutory mandates – The Commission’s autonomy cannot override the requirement for lawful consultation and adherence to recruitment norms [Paras 67-75]

Judicial Review – Scope in Recruitment Matters – While courts generally defer to recruiting agencies in academic matters, interference is warranted when the process is manifestly arbitrary, violates statutory norms, or contravenes constitutional guarantees – Present process failed to meet standards of legality, fairness, and rationality – Judicial intervention justified [Paras 32-39]

Decision: Writ petitions allowed – Screening Test syllabus and Advertisement No. 18 of 2025 quashed – Commission and State directed to revisit the recruitment process for ADA in line with constitutional and statutory requirements – Fresh process to be initiated, ensuring fairness and legal relevance [Paras 76-82]

Criminal Law – Quashing of Proceedings – Allegation of Sexual Harassment by Child Welfare Committee Chairman – Lack of Sexual Intent – Petitioner, a statutory authority under Child Welfare Committee, was alleged to have made sexually coloured remarks during counselling of two minor girls – Statements attributed to the petitioner included reference to the girls’ relationships and questioning their attire – Held: Alleged words, though intemperate and inappropriate in tone, do not amount to sexually coloured remarks or indicate sexual intent – Interaction occurred in official capacity and in the presence of another counsellor – Prosecution under Section 354A(1)(iv) IPC and Sections 11/12 of POCSO Act unsustainable [Paras 6-10]

POCSO Act – Section 11 r/w Section 12 – Requirement of Sexual Intent – To attract offence of sexual harassment under POCSO, act must involve sexual intent – Mere inappropriate or offensive language, without such intent, held insufficient – Petitioner’s conduct, viewed in totality, lacked sexual intent and did not amount to harassment under the Act [Paras 8-10]

Abuse of Process – Frivolous Prosecution – Section 482 CrPC – Petitioner alleged that complaint was motivated by enmity after he reported sexual exploitation of minor girls by their lovers – Court accepted that prosecution appeared retaliatory and not based on genuine grievance – Criminal proceedings quashed to prevent abuse of judicial process [Paras 5, 10]

Decision: Criminal Miscellaneous Case Nos. 2457/2022 and 2464/2022 allowed – Proceedings in SC Nos. 466/2021 and 467/2021 on the files of Additional Sessions Court-I, Thalassery quashed

Land Revenue – Mutation Entries – Competing Claims – Dispute over entry of name in revenue records concerning 30 guntas in Sy.No.155/1 – Appellant claimed title through Jayaramaiah based on Inams Abolition grant of 5 acres 4 guntas – Respondent No.5 traced title to Appashetty based on separate Inam grant and mutation in 1962 – Held: Appellant failed to establish grant of full 5 acres 4 guntas – Authorities justified in entering Respondent’s name for 30 guntas [Paras 3–6, 10, 18–20]

Jurisdiction of Revenue Authorities – Limitation on Title Adjudication – Contention raised that revenue authorities lacked jurisdiction to alter entries amid pending civil suit on title – Held: While revenue officials cannot adjudicate title disputes, they may enter names based on available documents evidencing title – Mutation does not confer title but reflects source – No infirmity found in orders passed [Paras 16–17]

Maintainability of Appeal under Section 136(2) – Objection on maintainability of appeal before Assistant Commissioner due to alleged absence of order under Section 129(4) – Held: Mutation entry reflects an operative decision by Tahsildar – Section 136 appeal lies – Objection not raised before Single Judge or in appeal memo – Rejected [Paras 21–23]

Procedural Grounds – Waiver and Non-pleading – Grounds related to procedural defects and jurisdiction not raised at earlier stages – Court declined to entertain at appellate level – Legal principle affirmed that grounds not urged before learned Single Judge cannot be raised for first time in appeal [Paras 22, 26]

Decision: Writ appeal dismissed – Orders of revenue authorities and Single Judge upheld – Pending applications disposed of [Paras 27–28]

Section 84 of the A.P. Endowments Act - Religious and Charitable Trusts – Unauthorized Occupation – Tenants Treated as Encroachers – Endowments Tribunal’s Eviction Order Partly Upheld – Appellants were in occupation of shop premises forming part of trust property endowed under registered Will of 1958 – Trustees had granted lease but no formal lease deed existed – Tribunal found the appellants to be encroachers under Section 83 of the A.P. Endowments Act and directed eviction and payment of damages – Appellate Court found that original trustees had already transferred rights to another religious institution via registered settlement deed – All legal challenges to that transfer (including writ petitions and earlier CMAs) had been withdrawn – Held: Appellants’ lessor had given up any claim over property, and appellants could no longer assert tenancy rights – However, in view of long possession, nature of business, and payment of rents, damages awarded by Tribunal were set aside – Eviction upheld with two-month grace period to vacate [Paras 1–6]

Trust Law – Transfer of Trust Property – Validity of Settlement Deed – Effect of Withdrawal of Legal Proceedings – Settlement deed in favour of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Mangalagiri was challenged in O.S. No.144/2010 and W.P. No.31056/2010 – Both proceedings withdrawn – Held: Withdrawal of legal challenge affirmed the validity of the settlement deed – Appellants claiming under erstwhile trustees cannot sustain possession once the transfer stood undisputed [Paras 5–6]

Land Law – Possession Without Title – Unauthorized Occupation After Lessor’s Rights Extinguished – Relief of Damages Denied on Equitable Grounds – Though possession was unauthorized, Court exercised discretion in equity – Found appellants to be small shopkeepers earning livelihood – While eviction confirmed, direction to pay damages of ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per month as ordered by Tribunal was set aside [Paras 5–6]

Decision: Appeal partly allowed – Tribunal’s order directing eviction confirmed – Direction to pay damages set aside – Appellants to vacate within two months – No order as to costs.

Railways Act, 1989 – Section 124-A – Untoward Incident – Strict Liability – Bona Fide Passenger – Compensation – Deceased allegedly fell from an overcrowded passenger train due to a sudden jerk and succumbed to injuries during treatment – Tribunal dismissed claim holding that deceased was not a bona fide passenger and the ticket recovered was fabricated – On appeal, held: Documentary evidence including Inquest Report, Post-Mortem Report, and Final Investigation Report conclusively established accidental fall from train – Once it is shown that death occurred in an “untoward incident” while travelling with a valid ticket, Railways’ liability arises irrespective of fault – Strict liability under Section 124-A applies – Tribunal erred in rejecting claim on suspicion of ticket authenticity [Paras 13–16].

Evidence – Burden of Proof – Bona Fide Passengership – Initial burden on claimant can be discharged by affidavit and production of journey ticket – Once prima facie case made, burden shifts to Railways to rebut – Mere absence of ticket or clerical error in train name does not negate bona fide travel – Reliance placed on Union of India v. Rina Devi, (2019) 3 SCC 572 and Kamukayi v. Union of India, (2023) 19 SCC 116 [Paras 15–17].

Pleadings – Amendment of Claim Petition – Procedural Fairness – Refusal of Tribunal to allow amendment correcting train name from “Puri–Rourkela Passenger” to “Konark Express” held hyper-technical – Such inadvertent clerical error caused by appellants’ illiteracy and distress on son’s death cannot defeat substantive rights under a beneficial statute – Liberal construction warranted [Paras 17–18].

Relief – Remand and Compensation – High Court set aside the Tribunal’s order and remanded the case for fresh adjudication on amended pleadings – However, directed Union of India to pay ₹8,00,000 compensation with 6% interest p.a. from the date of claim application till realization, to be deposited before Tribunal within three months [Paras 19–22].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Impugned judgment set aside – Matter remanded to Tribunal for fresh adjudication – Compensation of ₹8,00,000 with 6% interest awarded to appellants – Interim orders vacated [Paras 20–23].

Territorial Jurisdiction – Writ Petition against TDSAT Order – Maintainability – Karnataka High Court lacks jurisdiction – Petitioners challenged execution order dated 01.09.2022 passed by TDSAT, New Delhi, under Article 226 – Petitioners contended that since notices for personal appearance were served in Bengaluru, Karnataka High Court had jurisdiction – Held: Mere service of notice does not constitute integral part of cause of action – All material acts including impugned order occurred at New Delhi – Company and its Directors had submitted to TDSAT’s jurisdiction and led evidence – Petition not maintainable before Karnataka High Court – Appropriate remedy lies before Delhi High Court [Paras 9-26].

Execution Proceedings – Director’s Personal Liability – Lifting of Corporate Veil – Improperly Impleading Directors – TDSAT directed issuance of notice to all Directors in execution of decree passed against the company – Petitioners contended they were not parties to original proceedings and could not be personally proceeded against without lifting corporate veil – Held: Determination of such issues lies within execution jurisdiction of TDSAT – Writ under Article 226 cannot bypass this statutory mechanism – Proper remedy is through execution court or appellate jurisdiction [Paras 5-6].

Cause of Action – Meaning and Scope – Small Fraction Not Sufficient – Petitioners relied on Kusum Ingots and Om Prakash Srivastava to claim that even small part of cause of action confers jurisdiction – Court held: While small fraction of cause of action may suffice, facts must have nexus with the prayer sought – Service of notice for appearance alone not an integral fact giving rise to maintainable writ – Forum conveniens principle invoked [Paras 15-21, 24].

Decision: Writ Petitions dismissed as not maintainable before Karnataka High Court – Liberty granted to approach Delhi High Court.

Civil Procedure – Order VII Rule 14(3) CPC – Reception of Additional Documents – Delay and Admissibility – Judicial Discretion – Trial Court allowed plaintiff’s petition to receive certain documents obtained under RTI Act during 2021–22 though produced belatedly in 2024 – Revision petitioner contended that documents were neither certified nor originals and delay was unexplained – Held: Procedural rules are handmaids of justice and cannot be used to defeat substantive rights – Delay in production not fatal unless it causes serious prejudice or necessitates a de novo trial – Order of trial court allowing reception of documents upheld [Paras 8–11].

Evidence – Admissibility vs. Reception – Stage of Consideration – Relevancy and admissibility of documents are distinct issues – At the stage of reception, the court is only concerned with whether documents may be taken on record; their evidentiary value can be decided at the trial – Objections regarding proof under Sections 63–65 of Evidence Act premature [Para 12].

Procedural Law – Delay – Liberal Approach – Costs as Remedy – Court emphasized that procedural law should facilitate justice and not obstruct it – Though delay was established, it did not justify exclusion of material evidence – Delay compensable by costs – Plaintiff directed to pay ₹5,000 to revision petitioner to offset inconvenience caused [Paras 10–13].

Supervisory Jurisdiction – Interference under Article 227 – Scope – High Court declined to interfere under Article 227, finding no perversity or illegality in the trial court’s reasoning – Observed that the trial court’s omission to record elaborate reasons was not sufficient to vitiate the order when conclusion was otherwise just and equitable [Paras 11–13].

Decision: Civil Revision Petition dismissed – Impugned order dated 28.03.2025 in I.A. No. 788 of 2024 upheld – Plaintiff directed to pay ₹5,000 as costs to revision petitioner – Interim orders vacated – Miscellaneous petitions closed [Paras 13–End].