Monday, October 29, 2012

Foreign Child Custody order in india



* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ W.P.(Crl.) 494/2010
SURJEET SINGH ..... Petitioner
versus
STATE & ANOTHER ..... Respondents
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Petitioner : Mr. Arunav Patnaik & Mr. D.B.Ray For the Respondent : Mr. Ravinder Singh for R-2
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE BADAR DURREZ AHMED
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V.K.JAIN
V.K. JAIN, J.
This is a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking
issuance of a writ/order/direction in the nature of habeas corpus to the respondents
to produce minor children viz. Jasmine Kaur and Vaani Kaur, daughters of the
petitioner before this Court and giving their custody to him.
Respondent No.2 before this Court Mrs. Harpreet Kaur is the wife of the
petitioner and their marriage was solemnized in India on 17.11.2003. The
petitioner was a permanent resident of New Zealand prior to his marriage. In
February, 2004, both of them came to live in New Zealand. Respondent No.2 also
acquired permanent residency of New Zealand in the year 2006. The petitioner
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 1 of 29 became a New Zealand citizen in March, 2008. Both the children were born in
New Zealand and consequently acquired citizenship of that country.
The petitioner, respondent No.2 as well as both their children came to India
on 6.3.2009. The petitioner had planned to return to New Zealand on 10.4.2009,
whereas respondent No.2 was to return on 12.6.2009 along with both the children.
It is alleged that respondent No.2 refused to return to New Zealand and also
retained the custody of the children with her, in India. On 25.2.2010 the petitioner
preferred a petition before the High Court of New Zealand under the provisions of
Care of Children Act, 2004, for placing his minor children under the guardianship
of the Court at New Zealand. Vide order dated 12.3.2010, the High Court of New
Zealand directed that both the children be placed under the guardianship of that
Court. Respondent No.2 was directed to ensure that the children were returned to
the jurisdiction of New Zealand court within two weeks. Since respondent No.2
did not comply with the order passed by the New Zealand court, this petition has
been filed seeking production and custody of the children.
2. The petition has been opposed by respondent No.2. In her counter-affidavit
she has alleged that she apprehends danger/threat to her life and lives of her
children, if she goes to New Zealand. She also fears harassment by the petitioner,
who is alleged to be violent by nature and guilty of treating her with utmost cruelty
on numerous occasions. She has also submitted that the children are not in
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 2 of 29 wrongful custody, she being their mother and having lawfully brought them to
India along with the petitioner. It has been pointed out that this is not a case where
children have been brought to India in disobedience of an order of the foreign
court. It is further submitted that the children being girls of tender age and
respondent No.2, being their mother, the respondent No.2 is in a better position to
take care of them. Referring to the e-mails sent by the petitioner to her and the
telephonic conversation between them, respondent No.2 has alleged that in the light
of his behavior, the petitioner is not entitled to any relief from this Court.
3. It is an undisputed fact that both the children were brought to India jointly by
the petitioner and respondent No.2. It is also not in dispute that when the petitioner
left for New Zealand, respondent No.2 as well as children stayed back in India with
his consent though they were scheduled to return to New Zealand on 12.6.2009 and
their air-tickets for the travel had been booked in advance. The elder daughter viz.
Jasmine Kaur was born on 16.9.2004 and the younger child Vaani Kaur was born
on 3.1.2008. Both these children were less than 5 years old when they were
brought to India on 6.3.2009. Even as on today, Jasmine Kaur is about 7 ½ years
old, whereas Vaani Kaur is about 04 years old. Section 6 of Hindu Minority and
Guardianship Act, 1956 which applies to the parties, to the extent it is relevant,
provides that the custody of a minor child, who has not completed the age of 05
years shall ordinarily be with the mother. Hence, on the date these children were
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 3 of 29 brought to India, respondent No.2 being their mother, was lawfully entitled to their
custody. She continues to be entitled to the custody of Vaani Kaur, who is less
than 05 years old. Section 13(2) of the Act provides that no person shall be
entitled to the guardianship by virtue of provisions of this Act or of any law
relating to guardianship in marriage among Hindus, if in the opinion of the Court,
his or her guardianship will not be for the welfare of the minor. Though the natural
guardians are enumerated in Section 6 the right is not absolute and the Court has to
give paramount consideration to the welfare of the minor.
Supreme Court dealing with a habeas corpus seeking custody of minor children,
inter alia, observed as under:-
"11. From the principles laid down in the aforementioned cases it is clear that in an application seeking a writ of Habeas Corpus for custody of minor children the
principal consideration for the Court is to ascertain whether the custody of the children can be said to be unlawful or illegal and whether the welfare of the
children requires that present custody should be changed and the children should be left in care and custody of somebody else. The principle is well settled that in a matter of custody of a child the welfare of the child is of paramount consideration of the Court."
In Gaurav Nagpal v. Sumedha Nagpal, (2009) 1 SCC 42, the Supreme
Court quoted with approval the following statement of law in America with respect
to the custody of a child in a habeas corpus matter:
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 4 of 29 "Generally, where the writ of habeas corpus is prosecuted for the purpose of determining the right to custody of a child, the controversy does not involve the question of personal freedom, because an infant is presumed to be in the custody of someone until it attains its majority. The Court, in passing on the writ in a child custody case, deals with a matter of an equitable nature, it is not bound by any mere legal right of parent or guardian, but is to give his or her claim to the custody of the child due weight as a claim founded on human nature and generally equitable and just. Therefore, these cases are decided, not on the legal right of the petitioner to be relieved from unlawful imprisonment or detention, as in the case of an adult, but on the Court's view of the best interests of those whose welfare requires that they be in custody of one person or another; and hence, a court is not bound to deliver a child into the custody of any claimant or of any person, but should, in the exercise of a sound discretion, after careful consideration of the facts, leave it in such custody as its welfare at the time appears to require. In short, the child's welfare is the supreme consideration, irrespective of the rights and wrongs of its contending parents, although the natural rights of the parents are entitled to consideration.
An application by a parent, through the medium of a
habeas corpus proceeding, for custody of a child is
addressed to the discretion of the court, and custody may be withheld from the parent where it is made clearly to appear that by reason of unfitness for the trust or of other sufficient causes the permanent interests of the child would be sacrificed by a change of custody. In
determining whether it will be for the best interest of a child to award its custody to the father or mother, the Court may properly consult the child, if it has sufficient judgment.
(emphasis supplied)"
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 5 of 29 With respect to the principle of comity of Courts, the Supreme Court in a
recent decision in Ruchi Majoo v. Sanjeev Majoo (2011) 6 SCC 479, inter alia,
observed and held as under:
"47........Welfare of the minor in such cases being the paramount consideration; the court has to approach the issue regarding the validity and enforcement of a foreign decree or order carefully. Simply because a foreign court has taken a particular view on any aspect concerning the welfare of the minor is not enough for the courts in this country to shut out an independent consideration of the matter. Objectivity and not abject surrender is the mantra in such cases. That does not, however, mean that the order passed by a foreign court is not even a factor to be kept in view. But it is one thing to consider the foreign judgment to be conclusive and another to treat it as a factor or consideration that would go into the making of a final decision......
58. Proceedings in the nature of Habeas Corpus are
summary in nature, where the legality of the detention of the alleged detente is examined on the basis of affidavits placed by the parties. Even so, nothing prevents the High Court from embarking upon a detailed enquiry in cases where the welfare of a minor is in question, which is the paramount consideration for the Court while exercising its parens patriae jurisdiction. A High Court may,
therefore, invoke its extra ordinary jurisdiction to determine the validity of the detention, in cases that fall within its jurisdiction and may also issue orders as to custody of the minor depending upon how the court
views the rival claims, if any, to such custody.
59. The Court may also direct repatriation of the minor child for the country from where he/she may have been removed by a parent or other person; as was directed by this Court in Ravi Chandran's & Shilpa Aggarwal's cases
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 6 of 29 or refuse to do so as was the position in Sarita Sharma's case. What is important is that so long as the alleged detenue is within the jurisdiction of the High Court no question of its competence to pass appropriate orders arises. The writ court's jurisdiction to make appropriate orders regarding custody arises no sooner it is found that the alleged detenue is within its territorial jurisdiction.
63....... What needs to be examined is whether the High Court was right in relying upon the principle of comity of courts and dismissing the application. Our answer is in the negative. The reasons are not far to seek. The first and foremost of them being that `comity of courts'
principle ensures that foreign judgments and orders are unconditionally conclusive of the matter in controversy. This is all the more so where the courts in this country deal with matters concerning the interest and welfare of minors including their custody. Interest and welfare of the minor being paramount, a competent court in this country is entitled and indeed duty bound to examine the matter independently, taking the foreign judgment, if any, only as an input for its final adjudication. Decisions of this Court in Dhanwanti Joshi, and Sarita Sharma's cases, clearly support that proposition."
5. In an earlier decision, Sarita Sharma vs. Sushil Sharma (2000) 3 SCC 14,
the parties were residing in USA along with their two minor children one aged
seven years and the other aged three years. Proceedings for dissolution of marriage
were initiated by the husband in a US court. In those proceedings, interim orders
were passed from time to time with respect to the care and custody of the children
and visitation right of the appellants. During the pendency of divorce proceedings,
the petitioner-mother of the children took the children with her though in USA
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 7 of 29 itself. The Associate Judge passed an order for putting children back in the care of
the father and the mother was given only visitation right. On 7.5.1997, the mother
Smt. Sarita picked up the children from the residence of the husband while
exercising her visitation right. She was to bring the children back to the school next
day morning, but she failed to do so. On the husband informing the police, a
warrant of her arrest was issued. Smt. Sarita came to India with her children. On
12.6.1997, a divorce decree was passed by the Associate Judge and the husband
was given sole custody of the children. Sarita was denied even the visitation right.
The husband Sushil Sharma then filed a writ petition in this Court. This Court
rejected the contention of Sarita Sharma that the decree of divorce and order for
custody of the children had been obtained by the husband by practising fraud on
the Court and directed Sarita Sharma to restore the custody of the children to the
husband. Their passports were also ordered to be handed over to him. Being
aggrieved from the order passed by this Court, the wife Sarita approached the
Supreme Court by way of a Special Leave Petition. It was contended by her that
when she came to India with children, she was their natural guardian.
The question which arose before the Court was whether the custody of the
children had become illegal as Sarita committed a breach of the order of the
Marriage Court directing her not to remove children from the jurisdiction of the
court without its permission. Another question which came up before the Supreme
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 8 of 29 Court was as to whether her custody of the children became illegal after decree of
divorce and order passed by American Court giving custody of children to her
husband. Allowing the appeal of the mother and setting aside the order passed by
this Court, the Supreme Court, inter alia, held as under:
"6. Therefore, it will not be proper to be guided entirely by the fact that the appellant Sarita had removed the children from U.S.A. despite the order of the Court of that country. So also, in view of the facts and
circumstances of the case, the decree passed by the
American Court though a relevant factor, cannot override the consideration of welfare of the minor children. We have already stated earlier that in U.S.A. respondent Sushil is staying along with his mother aged about 80 years. There is no one else in the family. The respondent appears to be in the habit of taking excessive alcohol. Though it is true that both the children have the
American citizenship and there is a possibility that in U.S.A. they may be able to get better education, it is doubtful if the respondent will be in a position to take proper care of the children when they are so young. Out of them one is a female child. She is aged about 5 years. Ordinarily, a female child should be allowed to remain with the mother so that she can be properly looked after. It is also not desirable that two children are separated from each other. If a female child has to stay with the mother, it will be in the interest of both the children that they both stay with the mother. Here in India also proper care of the children is taken and they are at present studying in good schools. We have not found the
appellant wanting in taking proper care of the children. Both the children have a desire to stay with the mother. At the same time it must be said that the son, who is elder than daughter, has good feelings for his father also. Considering all the aspects relating to the Welfare of the children, we are of the opinion that in spite of the order
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 9 of 29 passed by the Court in U.S.A. it was not proper for the High Court to have allowed the Habeas Corpus writ
petition and directed the appellant to hand over custody of the children to the respondent and permit him to take them away to U.S.A. What would be in the interest of the children requires a full and thorough inquiry and,
therefore, the High Court should have directed the
respondent to initiate appropriate proceedings in which such an inquiry can be held.........."
In Dhanwanti Joshi v. Madhav Unde (1998) 1 SCC 112, the appellant who
was living with the husband in USA for ten months after her marriage to him on
11.6.1982, left the respondent on 20.4.1983 along with their child who at that time
was 35 days old. There was litigation between the parties, both civil and criminal,
in India as well as in USA for 14 years. The husband continued to live in USA
while the wife along with her son was living in India. The husband filed a divorce
case in USA and also sought custody of the child. A divorce decree was passed ex
parte on 23.9.1983. On 20.2.1984, the appellant came to India along with the child.
The respondent husband then obtained an order on 11.4.1984 whereby visitation
rights were given to him. This was followed by another order whereby temporary
custody was given to him. On 28.4.1986, the US Court passed an ex parte order
granting permanent custody of the child to the respondent-husband. The appellant
filed a petition in the Civil Court seeking declaration that her marriage with
respondent was null and void, he being already married at that time. The
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 10 of 29 respondent came to India and filed a Habeas Corpus petition seeking custody of the
child. The writ petition was dismissed by the High Court. The husband, however,
was given visitation rights. A petition under Section 13 of the Hindu Minority and
Guardianship Act was filed by the appellant/mother, seeking permanent custody of
the person and property of her son. The court appointed her the permanent and
lawful guardian of the person and property of the child. The order of the trial court
was upheld by the High Court. The matter was taken to Supreme Court, by the
husband. The Supreme Court, while dismissing the appeal filed by the husband
observed that he could have any other remedy open in law against the ex parte
decree. The husband/respondent then filed a petition seeking custody of the child.
The family court allowed the application filed by him and granted custody of the
child to the respondent. The appeal filed by the mother/appellant against the order
of the family court was dismissed for non-prosecution. An application filed by her
to set aside the dismissal order, was also dismissed holding that she had no case, on
merit, for retaining the custody of the child. One of the questions which fell for
consideration before the Supreme Court in the appeal filed by the wife was as to
whether her bringing the child to India contrary to the order of US Court, would
have any bearing on the decision of the courts in India, while deciding about
custody and welfare of the child. The Supreme Court held that it was the duty of
the courts in the country to which a child is removed, to consider the question of
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 11 of 29 the custody having regard to the welfare of the child. As observed by the Supreme
Court in Ruchi Majoo (supra), in doing so, the order passed by the foreign court
would yield to the welfare of the child and comity of Courts simply demands
consideration of any such order issued by the foreign courts and not necessarily
their enforcement.
6. It would, thus, be seen that in the case of Sarita Sharma (supra), the
Supreme Court allowed the wife to have custody of the child, giving primacy to the
welfare of the child, despite the fact that she had removed the children from the
custody of the husband, in violation of the order passed by the Associate Judge,
who had put them in custody of her husband and further order of the US Court,
declaring that the sole custody of the children shall be with the husband. In
Dhanwanti's case (supra), also, Supreme Court allowed the wife to retain custody
of the child despite the order of US court, giving permanent custody of the child to
the husband. In both these cases welfare of the child was held to be the paramount
consideration in such matters. The court was clearly of the view that the principle
of comity of Courts and the orders passed by the foreign courts were only one of
the relevant factors to be taken by the courts into consideration, the prime
consideration in all such cases being as to whether the welfare of the child lies with
the husband or the wife. In the case before this court, admittedly, there was no
order of New Zealand court giving custody of the children to the petitioner alone or
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 12 of 29 to both, the husband and wife, at the time the children came to India. The children
were not brought to India at the back of their father or without his consent. The
entire family came together to India. While leaving India, the petitioner agreed that
respondent No.2 would join him later in New Zealand in the month of June along
with children. Therefore, neither the children were brought to India in violation of a
court's order nor can it be said that respondent No.2 was illegally withholding the
children with her when they came to India or when the petitioner left for New
Zealand.
7. It is not in dispute that the relations between the petitioner and respondent
No.2 are far from cordial. This became evident when respondent No.2 did not
return to New Zealand along with the children in June 2009 despite their return
tickets having already been booked. In her counter affidavit, respondent No.2 has
alleged cruelty and harassment at the hands of the petitioner. Some of the instances
of cruelty and harassment alleged in the counter affidavit are as under:
"13.04.2005 That on the 13th of April, 2005, the respondent called her mother to wish her on her birthday. She
inquired about her father and learnt that he was attending the Sat Sang. On haring this, the petitioner got angry and started shouting at the respondent and also slapped her despite the assurance of petitioner's parents.
Jan 2006 That in January, 2006 a friend of respondent was leaving for India and while returning from the New
Zealand airport after seeing her off, the petitioner started
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 13 of 29 shouting at the respondent for having talked about her parents at the airport.
Oct 2007 That in October, 2007, respondent was expecting another baby and the petitioner insisted her to call her mother to New Zealnad. The brother of respondent No.2 asked her about the visa procedure and for this too she was slapped by the petitioner. The mother of respondent no.2 visited her in New Zealand on 3.1.2008 and on that date, her second daughter was born. During the stay of the respondent mother, the father of the petitioner abused the mother of respondent and blamed her that it was
because of her, the respondent no.2 had a pre-mature baby and they had to spend money on her medical
treatment.
11.03.2009 That on 11.3.2009, the parties came to Delhi and went to the house of the petitioner where they stayed till 8.4.2009 when the petitioner left for New Zealand.
During this stay, the respondent and her minor children only once visited the house of her parents.
10.4.2009 That on 10.4.2009, the respondent came to her parents house for few days in May, 2009 her brother
came to India from U.S.A. to find a suitable match for his marriage. The respondent's brother found a match and on 6.6.2009 a Roka ceremony was held. At, 9 a.m., the
father of the respondent invited at phone the family of the petitioner but the petitioner had instructed not to attend the function. The ceremony was to be held at 11.30 a.m., followed by a lunch at 2.30 p.m. but with the intent to harass the respondent, the petitioner sent respondent late so that ceremony could be held at 1.30 p.m. and lunch at 5 p.m. the respondent was brought by her father in law at 6 p.m.
08.06.2009 That on 8.6.2009, the father of the petitioner told the father of the respondent to give a phone call to the petitioner thanking him for allowing the respondent to
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 14 of 29 attend the function. But the petitioner abused him on pone for an hour using filthy language.
09.06.2009 That on 9.6.2009, the uncle of respondent came to her in laws house to bring her to Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, as the respondent was suspposed to leave for New Zealand on 10.6.2009, and after begging for four hours, the father of the petitioner allowed the respondent to go but after getting in writing four pages with her signatures and dates that is she is going on her own accord and she was not allowed to take her kids, Ms. Jasmine Kaur and Ms. Vaani Kaur as was instructed by the respondent. The purse of the respondent was also checked. She was
allowed to go at 4 p.m. without her daughters aged 5 years and 1½ years old. She requested her father in law to give her kids as her younger daughter was on breast feed but he abused her. At 11 p.m. respondent and her uncle went to the house of the in-laws and the father in law started abusing them. He also gave a jolt to the turban of the uncle of the respondent and also slapped him. The shocked uncle came back quietly.
10.06.2009 That on 10.6.2009, the father in law of the respondent who had received instructions from the
petitioner started using rough and filthy language and forcibly put off the jewellery of the respondent. At 1 p.m. the father of respondent having undergone so much
trauma about these cruelties with the help of police freed respondent and her kids from her father in law and
brought her back home wearing apparels only. Since then she is living with her parents and all her belongings are also kept by the in laws."
8. The allegations made in the counter affidavit have been denied by the
petitioner in the rejoinder affidavit filed by him. We cannot examine the
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 15 of 29 truthfulness or otherwise of all these allegations in this petition under Article 226
of the Constitution. We would, however, like to take note of certain facts which
have a bearing on the issue of welfare of the minor children:
(a) Criminal M.A. No. 83/2010 was filed by respondent No.2 alleging
therein that the petitioner made a telephone call to her on 23.5.2010 and made
derogatory, abusing, threatening and uncivilized remarks not only against her but
against her parents and relatives as well. A cassette of the tape-recorded telephonic
conversation was also annexed to the application. The learned counsel representing
the petitioner on 04.06.2010, on instructions from the petitioner, categorically
denied that the petitioners had made any such telephonic call on 23.5.2010 at 11
a.m. or that he had used derogatory remarks against by respondent No.2 or her
parents or relatives. Vide order dated 13.8.2010 we directed the petitioner to file an
affidavit indicating as to whether the male voice in the recorded conversation was
his voice or not. Another copy of the audio cassette was also handed over to his
counsel. We also directed learned counsel for the petitioner to take instructions
from him as to whether he was willing to come to India for giving his voice sample
so that the same can be compared with male voice in the recorded cassette
submitted by the respondent No.2. On 26.11.2010, we were informed that the
petitioner was not willing to come to India for this purpose. The cassette was then
sent by us to CFSL, CBI, New Delhi for the purpose of examining as to whether
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 16 of 29 the audio contained therein had been deterred/tampered with or not by insertion or
deletion of pieces of conversation which is recorded therein. We received a report
from CFSL, opining that the recording in the cassette was continuous and no form
of tampering to the recording had been detected. Therefore, it cannot be said that
the cassette filed by respondent No.2 has been interpolated in any manner. As
regards the male voice in the cassette, it was subsequently conceded by the learned
counsel for the petitioner, during the course of arguments before us that the voice
was that of the petitioner. Thus, we have an admission of the petitioner that the
voice in the cassette is his voice and we also have a report from the CFSL opining
that there has been no tampering with the said cassette. It is also evident from the
admission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner before us, during the
course of arguments, that the petitioner, through his counsel, had made a false
statement before us on 04.06.2010 when he stated that he had not made any
derogatory remarks against respondent No.2 or her parents or her relatives. Some
of the extracts from the English translation of the Hindi conversation recorded in
the said cassette read as under:
"Surjeet:-Where Jasmine is gone.
Harpreet:-She went to Gurudwara.
Surjeet:-You bastard are sitting in the house, Bhen ki lori sent her to Gurudwara, Haramjadi, Kutte ki bacchi I am trying on phone for two hours and not attending, your entire family is sons of bastard, Kanjaro, Bhenchodo live
ashamed.
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 17 of 29 Harpreet:-Really you have no manners.
Surjeet:-Bhen ki lodi, kutti, Bhenchod, Randi you have no manners.
Harpreet:-This is manners, this is manners, this is manners. Surjeet:-You will teach me manners, why you sit for fucking when your father shown manners and what manners
shown by your father, your uncle bhen ka loda, son of dog what manners he shown to you.
Harpreet:-good on you, Good on you. You have got these manners. I say one year has completed in one man.
Surjeet:-You come to fuck your mother, your attraction has finished and you again coming for fucking sister. You and your father are very bastards and he was not feeling ashamed while disconnecting phone. And on next day
when I made phone call he called police then he was not ashamed.
Harpreet:-Your father not ashamed when took out my jewellery and not ashamed while naked her daughter in law.
Surjeet:-Kutti ki bacchi, Harm ki aulad, Benchod, your father was not ashamed.
Harpreet:- Your parents are not ashamed when they gives filthy abusing.
Surjeet:-Call your brother, Bhen ke lode in my front, Bhenchod has died.
Harpreet:-You, You are a impossible person.
Surjeet:-Tere maa ki chut, Bhenki lodi, callyour father I will talk with him, call that Bhenchod if he is son of only a man. Call your brother and father so that I can talk with them.
xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx
Surjeet:-Your uncle Randwa, Behnchod says me that my wife has lost attraction for me and he was putting penis for giving, you were sitting for fucking by your uncle.
Harpreet:-Be ashamed, how can a person can tell all these for his wife and what compromise will be made by him,
what is your aim.
Surjeet:-Bhenki Lodi, talk with me on phone today, come in front of me I fuck your mother.
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 18 of 29 Harpreet:-Very good, give more abusing except that what you know and learnt and I was telling for long time what type of you and know this person very well.
xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx
Surjeet:-He will fuck his daughter after going in house.
xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx
Surjeet:-Your father was bastard since first day and use to say I demand for dowry.
Harpreet:-Whether you have married with me or my father. Tell me from whom you married.
Surjeet:-Haram ki aulad, call your Benchod father.
xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx
Surjeet:-I say that you are daughter of bastard and not daughter of your father and you will be daughter of bastard if you not tell that you have to live with me after marriage. You should come her along with children. Come here and
why are escaping from situation and responsibility.
xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx
Harpreet:-I have allowed my children to talk with you but how can allow a father who talks with children by giving abusing.
Surjeet:-The person will be son of dog who will sent his sister for fucking again and why you not told before the court that you want to live with me and why told lie.
xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx
Surjeet:-Kutte ki bacchi, haramjadi, Ullu ki pathi."
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 19 of 29 (b) The petitioner has been sending messages to respondent No.2 and to
say the least, the expressions used in some of these SMSs cannot be said to be
parliamentary and do not behove of an educated person like him. One SMS sent by
the petitioner to respondent No.2 reads as under:-
"Is it your status'O' you mean character bastard father, you have given these bad teachings to your daughter that she lost her attraction towards her husband & you will search new husband for your daughter.
9. Having considered the matter and heard the learned counsel for the parties at
considerable length, we are of the opinion that for the reasons stated herein below,
it could not be in the interest of the minor children, to sent them to New Zealand.
i) Both the children are minor girls, one aged about seven years and the other
aged about four years and hence both of them need constant company of their
mother. If we direct the respondent No.2 to take the children to New Zealand and
live with the petitioner, considering the behavior of the petitioner as is reflected in
the tape-recorded conversation, it will not be safe for respondent No.2 to live with
the petitioner in New Zealand. The petitioner is likely to cause mental as well as
physical cruelty to respondent No.2 if she lives with him. If the petitioner
misbehaves with respondent No.2 in the presence of these minor girls, it is bound
to have a damaging and ever-lasting negative impact on them and make them
constantly worry about their safety and the safety and welfare of their mother. The
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 20 of 29 cruelty with respondent No.2 is likely to cause trauma and distress not only to her,
but also to her children.
ii) If we give custody of the children to the petitioner, that would not be in the
interest of these girls who need constant care, attention, devotion and love from
their mother. Of course, it cannot be disputed that the children need the company of
the father as well, but if a choice has to be made between the father and the mother,
we are of the firm view that in the facts and circumstances of the case, the welfare
of the children lies in being with the mother rather than being with the father.
iii) As far as the younger daughter Vaani's care is concerned, she being less than
five years old, respondent No.2 continues to be her natural guardian in terms of
Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 and it would not be in the interest of
the children to separate them from each other. Even the children would not like to
part with the company of each other, even if it is at the cost of losing the company
of their father.
iv) Both the children are now in India for the last almost three years and are
receiving education in Delhi. It will not be in their interest to discontinue their
studies abruptly and join some school in New Zealand, since the education received
by them in India is not likely to be recognized by the schools in New Zealand.
v) Section 3(3) of Domestic Violence Act, 1995 (New Zealand) reads as
under:-
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 21 of 29 "3 Meaning of domestic violence:
(1) In this Act, domestic violence , in relation to any person, means violence against that person by any other person with whom that person is, or has been, in a
domestic relationship.
(2) In this section, violence means--
(a) Physical abuse:
(b) Sexual abuse:
(c) Psychological abuse, including, but not limited
to,--
(i) Intimidation:
(ii) Harassment:
(iii) Damage to property:
(iv) Threats of physical abuse, sexual abuse,
or psy- chological abuse:
(v) In relation to a child, abuse of the kind
set out in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2)(c), a person
psychologically abuses a child if that person--
(a) causes or allows the child to see or hear the
physical, sexual, or psychological abuse of a person with whom the child has a domestic relationship; or
(b) puts the child, or allows the child to be put, at real risk of seeing or hearing that abuse occurring;-- but the person who suffers that abuse is not
regarded, for the purposes of this subsection, as
having caused or allowed the child to see or hear
the abuse, or, as the case may be, as having put the child, or allowed the child to be put, at risk of
seeing or hearing the abuse."
Considering the behavior of the petitioner as is reflected in the tape-recorded
conversation referred hereinabove, if the petitioner physically or mentally abuses
respondent No.2, which we feel he is likely to do considering his past behavior, and
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 22 of 29 such an act on the part of the petitioner is witnessed by the children, this would
amount to psychologically abusing the children under the laws of New Zealand and
it would not be appropriate for us to pass an order which is likely to result in the
children being psychologically abused by the petitioner.
vi) On 19.4.2012, we interacted with the children in our chambers in the
presence of the learned counsel for the parties, to ascertain whether they wanted to
live in India or to go to New Zealand. Both the children clearly stated that they
would like to stay in India with their mother even if it is at the cost of being
deprived of the company of their father. Both the children, therefore, have clearly
expressed a disinclination to go to New Zealand to their father.
10. Having given due regard to the order passed by the New Zealand Court
directing the respondent No.2 to place both the children in its custody, we are of
the view that the relief sought in this petition should not be granted since it will not
be in the interest of the children to send them back to New Zealand. The welfare of
the minor is the paramount consideration, even in a case involving principle of
comity of courts.
11. During the course of arguments, learned counsel for the petitioner placed
reliance upon the decisions of the Supreme Court in V. Ravi Chandran v. Union of
India and Ors (2010) 1 SCC 174 and Shilpa Aggarwal vs. Aviral Mittal (2010) 1
SCC 591. In V. Ravi Chandran (supra), the Supreme Court was dealing with a
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 23 of 29 Habeas Corpus petition filed directly before it under Article 32 of the Constitution.
In that case, respondent No.6 before the Supreme Court had approached New York
State Supreme Court, for divorce and dissolution of marriage. A consent order
governing issue of custody and guardianship of minor child Adithya was passed by
the court on 18.4.2005, granting joint custody of the child to the petitioner and
respondent No.6. Both of them consented to the order giving joint custody of the
child to them. The marriage between them was dissolved on 8.9.2005. The order
pertaining to the custody of the child was incorporated in that order. With the
consent of the parties, the order was passed by the family court of State of New
York on 18.6.2007, ordering that the parties shall share joint legal and physical
custody of the minor child. Some other directions were also given in that order. On
28.6.07, respondent No.6 brought the minor child to India informing the petitioner
that she would be residing with her parents in Chennai. On 8.8.2007, the petitioner
filed a petition before the family court of the State of New York, for modification
and alleging violation of the custody order, by respondent no.6. The Court passed
an order giving temporary sole custody of the child to the petitioner and respondent
no.6 was directed to immediately return minor child and his passport to the
petitioner. The family court of the State of New York also issued Child-abuse Non-
bailable warrant against respondent No.6. It was in this backdrop that the Supreme
court, directed respondent No.6 to take the child to United States of America as per
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 24 of 29 the consent order dated 18.6.2007 passed by the family court of the State of New
York till such time any further order was passed by that Court. Certain directions
with respect to travelling expenses of respondent No.6 and the child as well as for
making arrangements for residence of respondent No.6 in the USA were also given
by the court. In the course of judgment, Supreme Court, inter alia, observed as
under:
"29. While dealing with a case of custody of a child removed by a parent from one country to another in contravention to the orders of the court where the parties had set up their matrimonial home, the court in the country to which child has been removed must first consider the question whether the court could conduct an elaborate enquiry on the question of custody or by dealing with the matter summarily order a parent to return custody of the child to the country from which the child was removed and all aspects relating to child's welfare be investigated in a court in his own country. Should the court take a view that an elaborate enquiry is necessary, obviously the court is bound to consider the welfare and happiness of the child as the paramount consideration and go into all relevant aspects of welfare of child including stability and security, loving and understanding care and guidance and full
development of the child's character, personality and talents. While doing so, the order of a foreign court as to his custody may be given due weight; the weight and persuasive effect of a foreign judgment must depend on the circumstances of each case."
The Supreme Court took note of the fact that keeping in view the welfare
and happiness of the child and in his best interests, the parties had obtained a series
of consent orders concerning his custody/parenting rights, maintenance etc from
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 25 of 29 the competent court of jurisdiction in USA. The court also found that there was
nothing on record which may even remotely suggest that it would be harmful to the
child to be returned to USA. However, in the present case, the children have not
been brought to India in violation of any order passed by a court at New Zealand.
The children came to India with their parents and with the consent of both of them.
No order with respect to the custody of the children was passed by the Court at
New Zealand with the consent of the parties. In the case of V. Ravi Chandran
(supra), there was nothing to even remotely suggest that it would be harmful to the
child to be returned to USA. On the other hand, there is ample material before this
Court which clearly suggests that it would be harmful not only for respondent No.2
but also for the children if they are sent to New Zealand. The facts of this case are,
therefore, clearly distinguishable from the facts in V. Ravi Chandran (supra).
In Shilpa Aggarwal (supra), following some disagreement between the
parties, the appellant before the Supreme Court came to India on 12.9.2008, but
returned on 14.10.2008. The appellant was supposed to join him in his family at
New Delhi at his arrival in to India but she chose not to do so. Both of them were
supposed to leave for U.K. 9.11.2008, but, the appellant got their tickets cancelled
on 7.11.2008 and remained behind in India. The respondent husband thereupon
started proceedings before the High Court of Justice, Family Division, U.K. on
25.11.2008, for an order that the minor child be made ward of the court and for a
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 26 of 29 direction to the appellant to return the minor child to the jurisdiction of the said
court. On the application of the husband, the High Court of Justice, Family
Division, U.K. vide order 26.11.2008 directed the appellant to return the minor
child to the jurisdiction of the court. A further direction was given for the passport
and travelling documents of the minor child to be handed over to the Solicitor of
respondent No.1. This Court directed the appellant before the Supreme Court to
take the child to England and join proceedings failing which the child was to be
handed over to the husband to be taken of England as a measure of interim custody,
and thereafter, it was for the courts of England and Wales to determine which
parent would be best suited to have the custody of child. Finding no fault with the
order of this Court, the appeal filed by the wife was dismissed by the Supreme
Court. It would be pertinent to take note of the fact that in the case of Shilpa
Aggarwal (supra), there was nothing before the court to even suggest that the
husband was likely to cause physical or mental cruelty to his wife, and therefore, it
would be in the interest of the child to send him back to U.K. On the other hand, in
the case before this Court, the conduct of the petitioner as reflected in the tape-
recorded conversation filed by respondent No.2 in the Court, clearly indicates that
it would not be in the interest of the minor daughters of the parties to sent them to
New Zealand, with or without respondent No.2 accompanying them. If these girls
are sent to New Zealand, there is all likelihood of respondent No.2 being tortured
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 27 of 29 mentally and/or physically by the petitioner and such torture being witnessed by
the children which, in turn, is bound to have an adverse impact on them thereby
amounting to their psychological abuse in terms of the laws applicable in New
Zealand.
12. For the reasons stated hereinabove, we are of the view that it is not a fit case
for exercising our extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution
by directing respondent No.2 to either return to New Zealand along with children
or to give custody of the children to the petitioner. It would, however, be open to
the petitioner, if he so desires, to apply to the appropriate court in India seeking
custody of the children.
However, in order to ensure that the petitioner is not deprived of his
legitimate right to be in the company of his children, whenever he visits India, we
direct that he will be entitled to visit after advance intimation, the house where the
respondent No.2 is residing at that time with the children and be in the company of
the children for two hours during day time, on every Saturday, Sunday and school
holiday. While visiting the house of respondent No.2 in India, the petitioner will be
alone and will not misbehave with her or any member of her family in any manner
and will conduct himself in a dignified and appropriate manner. If the petitioner
fails to do so, it would be open to respondent No.2 to refuse entry to the petitioner
in her house. If the petitioner while at the house of respondent No.2 in India,
W.P(Crl.) 494/2010 Page 28 of 29 conducts himself appropriately, he will be entitled to a peaceful company of his
children uninterrupted by respondent No.2 or any member of her family in terms of
this order.
The writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. In the facts and
circumstances of the case, there shall be no order as to costs.
V.K.JAIN, J
BADAR DURREZ AHMED, J

Land Mark Judgment on Foreign Divorce Decree


Y. Narasimha Rao And Ors vs Y. Venkata Lakshmi And Anr on 9 July, 1991
Equivalent citations: 1991 SCR (2) 821, 1991 SCC (3) 451
Bench: Sawant, P.B.
PETITIONER:
Y. NARASIMHA RAO AND ORS.
Vs.
RESPONDENT:
Y. VENKATA LAKSHMI AND ANR.
DATE OF JUDGMENT09/07/1991
BENCH:
SAWANT, P.B.
BENCH:
SAWANT, P.B.
MISRA, RANGNATH (CJ)
CITATION:
1991 SCR (2) 821 1991 SCC (3) 451
JT 1991 (3) 33 1991 SCALE (2)1
ACT:
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Section 19. Dissolution of marriage-Court to which petition should be presented-Parties marrying in India under Hindu Law-Husband's petition for dissolution of marriage in Foreign Court-Fraud-Incorrect representation of jurisdictional facts-Husband neither domiciled nor had intention to make the foreign state his home but only technically satisfying the requirement of residence of 90 days for the purpose of obtaining divorce- Divorce decree by foreign court on a ground not available under the 1955 Act-Enforceability of.
Civil Procedure Code, 1908: Section 13. Matrimonial dispute-Foreign judgment-When not conclusive. Clause (a)-``Court of competent jurisdiction''-Which is. Clause (b)-Judgment on merits-What is.
Clause (c)-Judgment founded on a ground not recognised by Law of India-Effect of.
Clause (d)-Judgment obtained in proceedings opposed in principles of natural justice-Effect of-Principles of natural justice-Scope of.
Clause (e)-`Fraud'-Scope of-Judgment obtained by fraud- Effect of.
Clause (f)-Judgment founded on a breach of law in force in India-Effect of.
Section 14-Presumption as to foreign judgments- Expression ``Certified copy of a foreign judgment''-Should be read consistent with requirement of Section 86 of Indian Evidence Act.
Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Section 41-``Competent court''-Which is.
822
Section 63(1)(2), 65(e)(f), 74(1)(iii), 76, 77 and 86. Foreign judgment-Photostat copy-Admissibility of. Private International Law-Matrimonial dispute- Recognition of foreign judgment-Rules for recognition of foreign matrimonial judgment laid down-Hague convention of 1968 on the recognition of divorce and legal separations- Article 10-Judgment Convention of the European Community. Words and phrases ``Residence-Meaning of''.
HEADNOTE:
The first appellant and the first respondent were married at Tirupati on 27.2.1975 according to Hindu Law. They separated in July 1978. The appellant-husband filed a petition for dissolution of the marriage in the Sub-Court of Tirupati stating that he was a resident of South Claiborn Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana, and that he was a citizen of India and that he and his wife last resided together at New Orleans, Louisiana. Subsequently he filed another petition for dissolution of marriage in the Circuit Court St. Louis Country, Missouri, USA alleging that he has been a resident of the State of Missouri for 90 days or more immediately preceding th filing of the petition by refusing to continue to live with the appellant in the US and particularly in the State of Missouri. But from the averments made by him in the petition before the Sub-Judge, Tirupati it was obvious that he and his wife had last resided together at New Orleans, Louisiana and never within the jurisdiction of th Circuit Court of St. Louis Country in the State of Missouri. The respondent-wife filed her reply raising her objections to the maintainability of the petition. She also clearly stated that her reply was without prejudice to her contention that she was not submitting to the jurisdiction of the foreign court.
The Circuit Court Missouri assumed jurisdiction on the ground that the 1st Appellant had been a resident of the State of Missouri for 90 days next preceding the commencement of the action in the Court. In the absence of the respondent-wife the Circuit Court, Missouri passed a decree for dissolution of marriage on the only ground that the marriage has irretrievably down. Subsequent to the passing of the decree by the Circuit Court, Missouri, the appellant filed an application for dismissal of his earlier petition before the Sub-Court of Tirupati and the same was dismissed.
823
On 2nd November 1981 the last appellant married appellant No. 2. Thereafter, the 1st-respondent filed a criminal complaint against the appellants for the offence of bigamy. The appellants filed an application for their discharge in view of the decree for dissolution of marriage passed by the Circuit Court, Missouri. The Magistrate discharged the appellants by holding that the complainant-wife had failed to make out a prima facie case against the appellants. The respondent preferred a Criminal Revision Petition before the High Court which set aside the order of the Magistrate by holding (i) that a photostat copy of the judgment of Missouri Court was not admissible in evidence; (ii) since the Learned Magistrate acted on the photostat copy of the judgment, he was in error in discharging the accused. Accordingly the High Court directed the Magistrate to dispose of the petition filed by the appellants for their discharge afresh in accordance with law. Aggrieved by the decision of the High Court the appellants filed appeal in this Court.
Dismissing the appeal, this Court,
HELD: 1. The decree dissolving the marriage passed by the foreign court is without jurisdiction according to the Hindu Marriage Act as neither the marriage was celebrated nor the parties last resided together nor the respondent resided within the jurisdiction of that Court. Further, irretrievable breakdown of marriage is not one of the grounds recognised by the Act of dissolution of marriage. Hence, the decree of the divorce passed by the foreign court was on a ground unavailable under the Act which is applicable to the marriage. Since with regard to the jurisdiction of the forum as well as the ground on which it is passed the foreign decree in the present case is not in accordance with the Act under which the parties were married, and the respondent had not submitted to the jurisdiction of the court or consented to its passing, it cannot be recognised by the courts in this country and is therefore, unenforceable. [828H, 829A, 828E, 834H, 835A]
2. Residence does not mean a temporary residence for the purpose of obtaining a divorce but habitual residence or residence which is intended to be permanent for future as well. [829E]
Smt. Satya v. Teja Singh, [1975] 2 S.C.R. 1971, referred to.
3. The rules of Private International Law in this country are not codified and are scattered in different enactments such as the Civil Procedure Code, the Contract ACt, the Indian Succession Act, the Indian Divorce Act, the Special Marriage Act etc. In addition, some
824
rules have also been evolved by judicial decisions. In matters of status or legal capacity of natural persons, matrimonial disputes, custody of children, adoption, testamentary and intestate succession etc. the problem in this country is complicated by the fact that there exist different personal laws and no uniform rule can be laid down for all citizens. Today more than ever in the past, the need for definitive rules for recognition of foreign judgments in personal and family matters, and particularly in matrimonial disputes has surged to the surface. A large number of foreign decrees in matrimonial matters is becoming the order of the day. A time has, therefore, come to ensure certainty in the recognition of the foreign judgments in these matters. The minimum rules of guidance for securing the certainty need not await legislative initiative. This Court can accomplish the modest job within the frame-work of the present statutory provisions if they are rationally interpreted and extended to achieve the purpose. Though the proposed rules of guidance in this area may prove inadequate or miss some aspects which may not be present to us at this juncture, yet a begining has to be made as best as one can, the lacunae and the errors being left to be filled in and corrected by future judgments. [829H, 830A, 831C, F-H]
4. The relevant provisions of Section 13 of the CPC are capable of being interpreted to secure the required certainty in the sphere of this branch of law in conformity with public policy, justice, equity and good conscience, and the rules so evolved will protect the sanctity of the institution of marriage and the unity of family which are the corner stones of our social life. [832A] 4.1 On an analysis and interpretation of Section 13 of CPC the following rule can be deduced for recognising a foreign matrimonial judgment in this country. The jurisdiction assumed by the foreign court as well as the grounds on which the relief is granted must be in accordance with the matrimonial law under which the parties are married. The exceptions to this rule may be as follows; (i) where the matrimonial action is filed in the forum where the respondent is domiciled or habitually and permanently resides and the relief is granted on a ground available in the matrimonial law under which the parties are married; (ii) where the respondent voluntarily and effectively submits to the jurisdiction of the forum and contests the claim which is based on a ground available under the matrimonial law under which the parties are married; (iii) where the respondent consents to the grant of the relief although the jurisdiction of the forum is not in accordance with the provisions of the matrimonial law of the parties. [834B-D]
825
5. The High Court erred in setting aside the order of the learned Magistrate only on the ground that the photostat copy of the decree was not admissible in evidence. In the instant case photostat copies of the judicial record of the Court of St. Louis is certified for th Circuit Clerk by the Deputy clerk who is a public officer having the custody of the document within the meaning of Section 76 of the Indian Evidence Act also in the manner required by the provisions of the said section. Hence the photostat copy per se is not inadmissible in evidence. It is inadmissible because it has not further been certified by the representative of our Central Government in the United States as required by Section 86 of the Act. Therefore the document is not admissible in evidence for want of the certificate under Section 86 of the Act and not because it is a photostat copy of the original as held by the High Court. [835B, E, F-G]
6. The Magistrate is directed to proceed with th matter pending before him according to law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within four months. [835G]
JUDGMENT:
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal No. 385 of 1991.
From the Judgment and Order dated 18.4.1988 of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Crl. Revision Petition No. 41 of 1987.
M.C. Bhandare and Ms. C.K. Sucharita for the Appellants. C.N. Sreekumar and G. Prabhakar (for the State) for the Respondents.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
SAWANT, J. Leave is granted. Appeal is taken oj board for final hearing by consent of parties.
The 1st appellant and the 1st respondent were married ar Tirupati on February 27, 1975. They separated in July 1978. The 1st appellant filed a petition for dissolution of marriage in the Circuit of St. Louis Country Missouri, USA. The 1st respondent sent her reply from here under protest. The Circuit Court passed a decree for dissolution of marriage on February 19, 1980 in the absence of the 1st respondent.
826
2. The 1st appellant had earlier filed a petition for dissolution of marriage in the Sub-Court of Tirupati being O.P. No. 87/86. In that petition, the 1st appellant filed an application for dismissing the same as not pressed in view of the decree passed by the Missouri Court. On August 14, 1991 the learned sub-Judge of Tirupati dismissed the petition.
3. On November 2, 1981, the 1st appellant married the 2nd appellant in Yadgirigutta, 1st respondent filed a criminal complaint against the appellants for the offence of bigamy. It is not necessary to refer to the details of the proceedings in the said complaint. Suffice it to say that in that complaint, the appellants filed an application for their discharge in view of the decree for dissolution of marriage passed by Missouri Court. By this judgment of October 21, 1986, the learned Magistrate discharged the appellants holding that the complainant, i.e., the 1st respondent had failed to make out a prima facie case against the appellants. Against the said decision, the 1st respondent preferred a Criminal Revision Petition to the High Court and the High Court by the impugned decision of April 18, 1987 set aside the order of the magistrate holding that a photostat copy of the judgment of the Missouri Court was not admissible in evidence to prove the dissolution of marriage. The Court further held that since the learned Magistrate acted on the photostat copy, he was in error in discharging the accused and directed the Magistrate to dispose of the petition filed by the accused, i.e., appellants herein for their discharge, afresh in accordance with law. It is aggrieved by this decision that the present appeal is filed.
4. It is necessary to note certain facts relating to the decree of dissolution of marriage passed by the Circuit Court of St. Louis Country Missouri, USA. In the first instance, the Court assumed jurisdiction over the matter on the ground that the 1st appellant had been a resident of the State of Missouri for 90 days next preceding the commencement of the action and that petition in that Court. Secondly, the decree has been passed on the only ground that there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage between the parties can be preserved, and that the marriage is, therefore, irretrievably broken''. Thirdly, the 1st respondent had not submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court. From the record, it appears that to the petition she had filed two replies of the same date. Both are identical in nature except that one of the replies begins with an additional averment as follows: ``without prejudice to the contention that this respondent is not submitting to the jurisdiction of this hon'ble court, this respondent sub- 827
mits as follows''. She had also stated in the replies, among other things, that (i) the petition was not maintainable, (ii) she was not aware if the first appellant had been living in the State of Missouri for more than 90 days and that he was entitled to file the petition before the Court, (iii) the parties were Hindus and governed by Hindu Law, (iv) she was an Indian citizen and was not governed by laws in force in the State of Missouri and , therefore, the Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the petition, (v) the dissolution of the marriage between the parties was governed by the Hindu Marriage Act and that it could not be dissolved in any other way except as provided under the said Act, (vi) the Court had no jurisdiction to enforce the foreign laws and none of the grounds pleaded in the petition was sufficient to grant any divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act.
Fourthly, it is not disputed that the 1st respondent was neither present nor represented in the Court passed the decree in her absence. In fact, the Court has in terms observed that it had no jurisdiction ``in personam'' over the respondent or minor child which was born out of the wed- lock and both of them had domiciled in India. Fifthly, in the petition which was filed by the 1st appellant in that Court on October 6, 1980, besides alleging that he had been a resident of the State of Missouri for 90 days or more immediately preceding the filing of the petition and he was then residing at 23rd Timber View Road, Kukwapood, in the Country of St. Louis, Missouri, he had also alleged that the 1st respondent had deserted him for one year or more next preceding the filing of the petition by refusal to continue to live with the appellant in the United States and particularly in the State of Missouri. On the other hand, the averments made by him in his petition filed in the court of the Subordinate Judge, Tirupati in 1978 shows that he was a resident of Apartment No. 414, 6440, South Claiborn Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States and that he was a citizen of India. He had given for the service of all notices and processes in the petition, the address of his counsel Shri PR Ramachandra Rao, Advocate, 16-11-1/3, Malakpet, Hyderabad-500 036. Even according to his averments in the said petition, the 1st respondent had resided with him at Kuppanapudi for about 4 to 5 months after th marriage. Thereafter she had gone to her parental house at Relangi, Tanuka Taluk, West Godawari District. He was, thereafter, sponsored by his friend Prasad for a placement in the medical service in the United States and had first obtained employment in Chicago and thereafter in Oak Forest and Greenville Springs and ultimately in the Charity Hospital in Louisiana at New Orleans where he continued to be emp-
828
loyed. Again according to the averments in the said petition, when the 1st respondent joined him in the United States, both of them had stayed together as husband and wife at New Orleans. The 1st respondent left his residence in New Orleans and went first to Jackson, Texas and, thereafter, to Chicago to stay at the residence of his friend, Prasad. Thereafter she left Chicago for India. Thus it is obvious from these averments in the petition that both the 1st respondent and the 1st petitioner had last resided together at New Orleans, Louisiana and never within the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court of St. Louis Country in the State of Missouri. The averments to that effect in the petition filed before the St. Louis Court are obviously incorrect.
5. Under the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the ``Act'') only the District Court within the local limits of whose original civil jurisdiction (i) the marriage was solemnized, or (ii) the respondent, at the time of the presentation of the petition resides, or (iii) the parties to the marriage last resided together, or (iv) the petitioner is residing at the time of the presentation of the petition, in a case where the respondent is, at the time, residing outside the territories to which the Act extends, or has not been heard of as being alive for a period of seven years of more by those persons who would naturally have heard of him if he were alive, has jurisdiction to entertain the petition. The Circuit Court of St. Louis Country, Missouri had, therefore, no jurisdiction to entertain the petition according to the Act under which admittedly the parties were married. Secondly, irretrievable breakdown of marriage is not one of the grounds recognised by the Act for dissolution of marriage. Hence, the decree of divorce passed by the foreign court was on a ground unavailable under the Act.
6. Under Section 13 of the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 (hereinafter referred to as the ``Code''), a foreign judgment is not conclusive as to any matter thereby directly adjudicated upon between the parties if (a) it has not been pronounced by a Court of competent jurisdiction; (b) it has not been given on the merits of the case; (c) it is founded on an incorrect view of international law or a refusal to recognize the law of India in cases in which such law is applicable; (d) the proceedings are opposed to natural justice, (e) it is obtained by fraud, (f) it sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in India.
7. As pointed out above, the present decree dissolving the marriage passed by the foreign court is without jurisdiction according to the Act as neither the marriage was celebrated nor the parties last
829
resided together nor the respondent resided within the jurisdiction of that Court. The decree is also passed on a ground which is not available under the Act which is applicable to the marriage. What is further, the decree has been obtained by the 1st appellant by stating that he was the resident of the Missouri State when the record shows that he was only a bird of passage there and was ordinarily a resident of the State of Louisiana. He had, if at all, only technically satisfied the requirement of residence of ninety days with the only purpose of obtaining the divorce. He was neither domiciled in that State nor had he an intention to make it his home. He had also no substantial connection with the forum. The 1st appellant has further brought no rules on record under which the St. Louis Court could assume jurisdiction over the matter. On the contrary, as pointed out earlier, he has in his petition made a false averment that the 1st respondent had refused to continue to stay with him in the State of Missouri where she had never been. In the absence of the rules of jurisdiction of that court, we are not aware whether the residence of the 1st respondent within the State of Missouri was necessary to confer jurisdiction on that court, and if not, of the reasons for making the said averment.
8. Relying on a decision of this Court in Smt. Satya v. Teja Singh, [1975] 2 SCR 1971 it is possible for us to dispose of this case on a narrow ground, viz., that the appellant played a fraud on the foreign court residence does not mean a temporary residence for the purpose of obtaining a divorce but habitual residence or residence which is intended to be permanent for future as well. We remain from adopting that course in the present case because there is nothing on record to assure us that the Court of St. Louis does not assume jurisdiction only on the basis of a mere temporary residence of the appellant for 90 days even is such residence is for the purpose of obtaining divorce. We would, therefore, presume that the foreign court by its own rules of jurisdiction had rightly entertained the dispute and granted a valid decree of divorce according to its law. The larger question that we would like to address ourselves to is whether even in such cases, the Courts in this country should recognise the foreign divorce decrees.
9. The rules of Private International Law in this country are not codified and are scattered in different enactments such as the Civil Procedure Code, the Contract Act, the Indian Succession Act, the Indian Divorce Act, the Special Marriage Act etc. In addition, some rules have also been evolved by judicial decisions. In matters of status or legal capacity of natural persons, matrimonial disputes, custody of
830
children, adoption, testamentary and intestate succession etc. the problem in this country is complicated by the fact that there exist different personal laws and no uniform rule can be laid down for all citizens. The distinction between matters which concern personal and family affairs and those which concern commercial relationships, civil wrongs etc. is well recognised in other countries and legal systems. The law in the former area tends to be primarily determined and influenced by social, moral and religious considerations, and public policy plays a special and important role in shaping it. Hence, in almost all the countries the jurisdicational procedural and substantive rules which are applied to disputes arising in this area are significantly different from those applied to claims in other areas. That is as it ought to be. For, no country can afford to sacrifice its internal unity, stability and tranquility for the sake of uniformity of rules and comity of nations which considerations are important and appropriate to facilitate international trade, commerce, industry, communication, transport, exchange of services, technology, manpower etc. This glaring fact of national life has been recognised both by the Hague Convention of 1968 on the Recognition of Divorce and Legal Seperations as well as by the Judgments Convention of the European Community of the same year. Article 10 of the Hague Convention expressly provides that the contracting States may refuse to recognise a divorce or legal separation if such recognition is manifestly incompatible with their public policy. The Judgments Convention of the European Community expressly excludes from its scope (a) status or legal capacity of natural persons, (b) rights in property arising out of a matrimonial relationship, (c) wills and succession, (d) social security and (e) bankruptcy. A separate convention was contemplated for the last of the subjects.
10. We are in the present case concerned only with the matrimonial law and what we state here will apply strictly to matters arising out of and ancillary to matrimonial disputes. The Courts in this country have so far tried to follow in these matters the English rules of Private International Law whether common law rules or statutory rules. The dependence on English Law even in matters which are purely personal, has however time and again been regretted. But nothing much has been done to remedy the situation. The labours of the Law Commission poured in its 65th Report on this very subject have not fructified since April 1976, when the Report was submitted. Even the British were circumspect and hesitant to apply their rules of law in such matters during their governance of this country and had left the family law to be governed by the customary rules of the diffe-
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rent communities. It is only where was a void that they had stepped in by enactments such as the Special Marriage Act, Indian Divorce Act, Indian Succession Act etc. In spite, however, of more than 43 years of independence we find that the legislature has not thought it fit to enact rules of Private International Law in this area and in the absence of such initiative from the legislature the courts in this country their inspiration, as stated earlier, from the English rules. Even in doing so they have not been uniform in practice with the result that we have some conflicting decisions in the area.
11. We cannot also lose sight of the fact that today more than ever in the past, the need for definitive rules for recognition of foreign judgments in personal and family matters, and particularly in matrimonial disputes has surged to the surface. Many a man and woman of this land with different personal laws have migrated and are migrating to different countries either to make their permanent abode there or for temporary residence. Likewise there is also immigration of the nationals of other countries. The advancement in communication and transportation has also made it easier for individuals to hop from one country to another. It is also not unusual to come across cases where citizens of this country have been contracting marriages either in this country or abroad with nationals of the other countries or among themselves, or having married here, either both or one of them migrate to other countries. There are also cases where parties having married here have been either domiciled or residing separately in different foreign countries. This migration, temporary or permanent, has also been giving rise to various kinds of matrimonial disputes destroying in its turn the family and its peace. A large number of foreign decrees in matrimonial matters is becoming the order of the recognition of the foreign judgments in these matters. The minimum rules of guidance for securing the certainty need not await legislative initiative. This Court can accomplish the modest job within the framework of the present statutory provisions if they are rationally interpreted and extended to achieve the purpose. It is with this intention that we are undertaking this venture. We aware that unaided and left solely to our resources the rules of guidance which we propose to lay down in this area may prove inadequate or miss some aspects which may not be present to us at this juncture. But a begining has to be made as best as one can, the lacunae and the errors being left to be filled in and corrected by future judgments. 832
12. We believe that the relevant provisions of Section 13 of the Code are capable of being interpreted to secure the required certainty in the sphere of this branch of law in conformity with public policy, justice, equity and good conscience, and the rules so evolved will protect th sanctity of the institution of marriage and the unity of family which are the corner stones of our societal life. Clause (a) of Section 13 states that a foreign judgment shall not be recognised if it has not been pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction. We are of the view that this clause should be interpreted to mean that only that court will be a court of competent jurisdiction which the Act or the law under which the parties are married recognises as a court of competent jurisdiction to entertain the matrimonial dispute. Any other court should be held to be a court without jurisdiction unless both parties voluntarily and unconditionally subject themselves to the jurisdiction of that court. The expression ``competent court'' in Section 41 of the Indian Evidence Act has also to be construed likewise.
Clause (b) of Section 13 states that if a foreign has not been given on the merits of the case, the courts in this country will not recognise such judgment. This clause should be interpreted to mean (a) that the decision of the foreign court should be on a ground available under the law under which the parties are married, and (b) that the decision should be a result of the contest between the parties. The latter requirement is fulfilled only when the respondent is duly served and voluntarily and unconditionally submits himself/herself to the jurisdiction of the court and contests the claim, or agrees to the passing of the decree with or without appearance. A mere filing of the reply to the claim under protest and without submitting to the jurisdiction of the court, or an appearance in the Court either in person or through a representative for objecting to the jurisdiction of the Court, should not be considered as a decision on the merits of the case. In this respect the general rules of the acquiescence to the jurisdiction of the Court which may be valid in other matters and areas should be ignored and deemed inappropriate.
The second part of clause (c) of Section 13 states that where the judgment is founded on a refusal to recognise the law of this country in cases in which such law is applicable, the judgment will not be recognised by the courts in this country. The marriages which take place in this country can only be under either the customary or the statutory law in force in this country. Hence, the only law that can be applicable
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to the matrimonial disputes is the one under which the parties are married, and no other law. When, therefore, a foreign judgment is founded on a jurisdiction or on ground not recognised by such law, it is a judgment which is in defiance of the Law. Hence, it is not conclusive of the matters adjudicated therein and therefore, unenforceable in this country. For the same reason, such a judgment will also be unenforceable under clause (f) of Section 13, since such a judgment would obviously be in breach of the matrimonial law in force in this country.
Clause (d) of Section 13 which makes a foreign judgment unenforceable on th ground that the proceedings in which it is obtained are opposed to natural justice, states no more than an elementary principle on which any civilised system of justice rests. However, in matters concerning the family law such as the matrimonial disputes, this principle has to b extended to mean something more than mere compliance with the technical rules of procedure. If the rule of audi alteram partem has any meaning with reference to the proceedings in a foreign court, for the purposes of the rule it should not be deemed sufficient that the respondent has been duly served with the process of the court. It is necessary to ascertain whether the respondent was in a position to present or represent himself/herself and contest effectively the said proceedings. This requirement should apply equally to the appellate proceedings if and when they are file by either party. If the foreign court has not ascertained and ensured such effective contest by requiring the petitioner to make all necessary provisions for the respondent to defend including the costs of travel, residence and litigation where necessary, it should be held that the proceedings are in breach of the principles of natural justice. It is for this reason that we find that the rules of Private International Law of some countries insist, even in commercial matters, that the action should be filed in the forum where the defendant is either domiciled or is habitually resident. It is only in special cases which is called special jurisdiction where the claim has some real link with other forum that a judgment of such forum is recognised. This jurisdiction principle is also recognised by the Judgments Convention of this European Community . If, therefore, the courts in this country also insist as a matter of rule that foreign matrimonial judgment will be recognised only it it is of the forum where the respondent is domiciled or habitually and permanently resides, the provisions of clause (d) may be held to have been satisfied. The provision of clause (e) of Section 13 which requires that the
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courts in this country will not recognise a foreign judgment if it has been obtained by fraud, is self-evident. However, in view of the decision of this Court in Smt. Satya v. Teja Singh, (supra) it must be understood that the fraud need not be only in relation to the merits of the mater but may also be in relation to jurisdictional facts.
13. From the aforesaid discussion the following rule can be deduced for recognising foreign matrimonial judgment in this country. The jurisdiction assumed by the foreign court as well as the grounds on which the relief is granted must be in accordance with the matrimonial law under which the parties are married. The exceptions to this rule may be as follows: (i) where the matrimonial action is filed in the forum where the respondent is domiciled or habitually and permanently resides and the relief is granted on a ground available in the matrimonial law under which the parties are married; (ii) where the respondent voluntarily and effectively submits to the jurisdiction of the forum as discussed above and contests the claim which is based on a ground available under the matrimonial law under which the parties are married; (iii) where the respondent consents to the grant of the relief although the jurisdiction of the forum is not in accordance with the provisions of the matrimonial law of the parties.
The aforesaid rule with its stated exceptions has the merit of being just and equitable. It does no injustice to any of the parties. The parties do and ought to know their rights and obligations when they marry under a particular law. They cannot be heard to make a grievance about it later or allowed to bypass it by subterfuges as in the present case. The rule also has an advantage of rescuing the institution of marriage from the uncertain maze of the rules of the Private International Law of the different countries with regard to jurisdiction and merits based variously on domicile, nationality, residence-permanent or temporary or ad hoc forum, proper law etc. and ensuring certainty in the most vital field of national life and conformity with public policy. The rule further takes account of the needs of modern life and makes due allowance to accommodate them. Above all, it gives protection to women, the most vulnerable section of our society, whatever the strata to which they may belong. In particular it frees them from the bondage of the tyrannical and servile rule that wife's domicile follows that of her husband and that it is the husband's domicilliary law which determines the jurisdiction and judges the merits of the case.
14. Since with regard to the jurisdiction of the forum as well as the ground on which it is passed the foreign decree in the present case
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is not in accordance with the Act under which the parties were married, and the respondent had not submitted to the jurisdiction of the court or consented to its passing, it cannot be recognised by the courts in this country and is, therefore, unenforceable.
15. The High Court, as stated earlier, set aside the order of the learned Magistrate only on the ground that the photostat copy of the decree was not admissible in evidence. The High Court is not correct in its reasoning. Under Section 74(1)(iii) of the Indian Evidence Act (Hereinater referred to as the "Act") documents forming the acts or records of the acts of public judicial officers of a foreign country are public documents. Under Section 76 read with Section 77 of the Act, certified copies of such documents may be produced in proof of their contents. However, under Section 86 of the Act there is presumption with regard to the genuineness and accuracy of such certified copy only if it is also certified by the representative of our Central Government in or for that country that the manner in which it has been certified is commonly in use in that country for such certification.
Section 63(1) and (2) read with Section 65(e) and (f) of the Act permits certified copies and copies made from the original by mechanical process to be tendered as secondary evidence. A photostat copy is prepared by a mechanical process which in itself ensures the accuracy of the original. The present photostat copies of the judicial record of the Court of St. Louis is certified for the Circuit Clerk by the Deputy Clerk who is a public officer having the custody of the document within the meaning of Section 76 of the Act and also in the manner required by the provisions of the said section. Hence the Photostat copy per se is not inadmissible in evidence. It is inadmissible because it has not further been certified by the representative of our Central Government in the United States as required by Section 86 of the Act. The expression "certified copy" of a foreign judgment in Section 14 of the Code has to be read consistent with the requirement of Section 86 of the Act.
16. While, therefore, holding that the document is not admissible in evidence for want of the certificate under Section 86 of the Act and not because it is a photostat copy of the original as held by the High Court, we uphold the order of the High Court also on a more substantial and larger ground as stated in paragraph 14 above. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal and direct the learned Magistrate to proceed with the matter pending before him according to law as expenditiously as possible, preferably within four months from now as the prosecution is already a decade old. T.N.A. Appeal dismissed