High Court of KeralaDivision BenchDisposed of by mutual consent; divorce by mutua...

Praveen Ravi v. Mithu Tushar

Case / Petition Number:Mat.Appeal No.510 of 2019

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Raja Vijayaraghavan, J.
  • P. M. Manoj, J.
Judgment Date
2024-04-03
Court Decision / Holding
The appeal is disposed of in terms of the Memorandum of Agreement dated 20 March 2024. The marriage solemnized on 11/09/2011 stands dissolved on mutual consent with effect from today. The Memorandum of Agreement forms part of this judgment and the parties shall proceed with a joint petition for divorce under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act. The minor daughter’s maintenance remains as per the agreement.
Final Disposition
Disposed of by mutual consent; divorce by mutual consent under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act with the Memorandum of Agreement incorporated into the judgment; the MOA records financial and custodial arrangements and the minor child’s maintenance.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Praveen Ravi

Respondents

  • Mithu Tushar

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • M. Sasindran
  • • Sri. Satheeshan Alakkadan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Sri. T K Sandeep

Case Synopsis & Summary

This Matrimonial Appeal (Mat.Appeal No.510 of 2019) arises from a challenge to the Family Court, Palakkad, order dated 25 January 2019 in OP No.649/2016, which dismissed a petition for dissolution of marriage filed by the husband. During the pendency of the appeal, the Court directed mediation, resulting in an amicable settlement dated 20 March 2024 under Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure and Rule 24 of the Civil Procedure (Alternate Dispute Resolution) Rules, 2008. The settlement records that both parties, Praveen Ravi and Mithu Tushar, have unanimously agreed to terminate the marital relationship voluntarily and to file a joint petition for divorce under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act. They acknowledge irretrievable breakdown since 2013, and assert there is no coercion. The memorandum contemplates a full and final settlement, including alimony, custody provisions, and assets (a Rs.28,00,000 settlement towards maintenance and transfer of gold ornaments and documents), and states that the minor daughter Punya Praveen will continue under the mother’s custody with existing maintenance. The court, guided by the Amardeep Singh doctrine on waiving the cooling-off period under Section 13B(2) after satisfying statutory thresholds and achieving genuine settlement through mediation, disposes of the appeal by recognizing the memorandum and dissolving the marriage with effect from today. The MOA forms part of the judgment and the parties are to proceed with a joint petition for divorce by mutual consent.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 89 CPCRule 24 of the Civil Procedure (Alternate Dispute Resolution) Rules, 2008Section 13B(1) Hindu Marriage ActSection 13B(2) Hindu Marriage ActOrder XXXII A Rule 3 CPCSection 23(2) Hindu Marriage ActSection 9 Family Courts Act

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Amardeep Singh v. Harveen Kaur, 2017 (4) KHC 683 — doctrine permitting waiver of the cooling-off period under Section 13B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act when conditions of mediation, genuine settlement, and irretrievable breakdown are satisfied; supports mutual consent divorce without undue delay.
  • ADR and mediation as efficacious tools under Section 89 CPC and ADR Rules 2008 to resolve matrimonial disputes.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The appellant argued that the Family Court’s earlier dismissal of the dissolution petition should not be an impediment since the matter had evolved into a mediated settlement. With both parties voluntarily agreeing to terminate the marriage and to file a joint petition under Section 13B, they urged the Court to waive the statutory six-month cooling-off period under Section 13B(2), relying on Amardeep Singh’s guidance. They emphasized lack of coercion, a joint Memorandum of Agreement, and the minor child’s welfare, including maintenance arrangements, as a fit basis for dissolution by mutual consent.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondent supported the settlement reached during mediation, including the lump-sum maintenance of Rs.28,00,000 and the withdrawal of pending petitions. She asserted that the terms were agreed without coercion and that the proposed order would protect her rights, the child’s maintenance, and the disposition of assets, while avoiding further protracted litigation.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Amardeep Singh v. Harveen Kaur2017 (4) KHC 683PositiveThe court cites Amardeep Singh to justify waiving the cooling-off period under Section 13B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act once statutory conditions are satisfied and there is genuine settlement post-mediation.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

``` INTHEHIGHCOURTOFKERALAATERNAKULAM PRESENT THEHONOURABLEMR.JUSTICERAJAVIJAYARAGHAVANV & THEHONOURABLEMR.JUSTICEP.M.MANOJ WEDNESDAY,THE3[RD]DAYOFAPRIL2024/14THCHAITHRA,1946 MAT.APPEALNO.510OF2019 ``` ``` AGAINSTTHEJUDGMENTDATED25.01.2019INOPNO.649OF2016OF FAMILYCOURT,PALAKKAD ``` ## **`APPELLANT/PETITIONER:`** ``` PRAVEENRAVI AGED37YEARS S/O.M.K.RAVI,RADHANIVAS,OPP.JAYALAKSHMISCHOOL, MARUTHUSEVANAGARPOST,BANGALORE. ``` ``` BYADVS. M.SASINDRAN SRI.SATHEESHANALAKKADAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/RESPONDENT:`** ``` MITHUTUSHAR,AGED34YEARS, W/O.PRAVEENRAVI,RESIDINGATKOLEMKOTTILHOUSE, PATTOLA,MANAPPADAMPOST,PALAKKAD-678689. ``` ## **`SRI T K SANDEEP, FOR PARTY RESP.`** ``` THISMATRIMONIALAPPEALHAVINGCOMEUPFORFINALHEARINGON 03.04.2024,THECOURTONTHESAMEDAYDELIVEREDTHEFOLLOWING: ``` Mat. Appeal No. 510 of 2019 2 ## **J U D G M E N T** ## **Raja Vijayaraghavan, J.** This Matrimonial Appeal is preferred challenging the judgment dated 25.01.2019 in O.P. No. 649/2016 on the files of the Family Court, Palakkad. 2. O.P.No.649/2016 was originally filed by the petitioner-husband seeking dissolution of marriage. By the impugned judgment, the learned Family Court proceeded to dismiss the petition. 3. When the appeal was pending consideration before this Court, based on the request made by both parties, the parties were referred to mediation to make an attempt to resolve their disputes. 4. We are pleased to note that the parties have finally reached an amicable settlement and they have decided to part ways. All monetary aspects have been settled. A Memorandum of Agreement dated 20.3.2024 executed under Section 89 of the Code Mat. Appeal No. 510 of 2019 3 of Civil Procedure, read with Rule 24 of the Civil Procedure (Alternate Dispute Resolution) Rules, 2008, has been placed on record. 5. We have gone through the settlement agreement and we find that none of the terms are unlawful. Among other conditions, in the settlement agreement, the parties have also stated that they have unanimously agreed on their own, and without any compulsion or persuasion, to terminate the marital relationship and to file a joint petition for divorce under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act. 6. In the light of the agreement so executed, I.A No. 2 of 2024 has been filed seeking to waive the statutory period which was allowed by this Court by order dated 01.04.2024. They have stated in the application that the marriage between the parties was solemnized on 11/9/2011, and the same has broken down irretrievably without any scope of reunion. It is further stated that they are finding it difficult to coexist and cohabit in harmony and have been living separately since 2013. It is also stated that the application has been Mat. Appeal No. 510 of 2019 4 filed with due application of mind and there is no coercion or influence in filing the petition. We had allowed the application. 7. They have filed IA No. 3 of 2024 seeking to dissolve the marriage between the parties on mutual consent. 8. We directed the parties to appear before us in person. We have interacted with them to ascertain whether they have genuinely settled their differences including alimony or any other pending issues between the parties. They both submitted that all issues have been settled and that they had filed the petition for divorce by mutual consent out of their own free will and volition and there is absolutely no chance for reconciliation and reunion. We find that Punya Praveen, the minor daughter, is with the mother, and order of maintenance for her has been made in clause 11 of the agreement. 9. In **Amardeep Singh[1]** , the Apex Court while considering the grant of divorce by mutual consent by waiving the cooling of period had occasion to observe as under: > 1Amardeep Singh v. Harveen Kaur (2017 (4) KHC 683) Mat. Appeal No. 510 of 2019 5 18. Applying the above to the present situation, we are of the view that where the Court dealing with a matter is satisfied that a case is made out to waive the statutory period under S.13B(2), it can do so after considering the following: - i) the statutory period of six months specified in S.13B(2), in addition to the statutory period of one year under S.13B(1) of separation of parties is already over before the first motion itself; - ii) all efforts for mediation/conciliation including efforts in terms of Order XXXII A R.3 CPC / S.23(2) of the Act / S.9 of the Family Courts Act to reunite the parties have failed and there is no likelihood of success in that direction by any further efforts; - iii) the parties have genuinely settled their differences including alimony, custody of the child or any other pending issues between the parties; - iv) the waiting period will only prolong their agony. 10. After having carefully considered the facts of the instant case and after interacting with the parties, we are satisfied that it would be in the interest of both sides to put a quietus to all litigations and to save the parties from any further agony. In that view of the matter, this appeal is disposed of in terms of the Memorandum of Agreement dated 20.03.2024 entered into between the parties. The Memorandum of Agreement shall form part of this judgment. The marriage Mat. Appeal No. 510 of 2019 6 between the parties solemnized on 11.09.2011 will stand dissolved based on mutual consent with effect from today. sd/- **RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V, JUDGE** sd/- **P.M.MANOJ JUDGE** DCS # BEFORE THE HONBLE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM Mat ADDeal No.510/2019 Praveen Ravi Appellant Vs Mithu Tushar, Respondent Memorandum of agreement under section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure read with rule 24 of the Civil Procedure (Alternative Dispute Resolution) rules 2008 The parties above named beg to submit as follows The aforesaid, Mat,Appeal and Mat.Appeal No,455/2019 were referred to mediation for resolving the dispute between the parties, in the course of mediation, that has taken in the presence of mediator they have resolved their dispute and have agreed to the following terms and Conditions given below; 1, The appellant and the respondent have unanimously agreed on their own without any compulsion or persuasion of anybody else to terminate the marital relationship and they have decided to file a joint petition for divorce under Section 138 of Hindu Marriage Act before the High Court of Kerala, 2. In view of the settlement arrived between the parties, the appellant/Praveen Ravi agreed to pay an amount of Rs,28,00,000/-(Rupees twenty eight lakhs only) towards the full and final settlement of maintenance to the respondent/Mithu Thushar. Appellant Praveen Ravi W42f- **==> picture [162 x 32] intentionally omitted <==** **----- Start of picture text -----**<br> Respondent<br>Mithu Tushar ivf±f¥<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br> :ct,\`J ifeLL **J** \astatei\.icti``ai.``OnQr,!6la ¢,t,,v ,,.'• I. _`_ r^\ 'rt r)i t<~H`gkno:hQ,u.rt6%f2Ko%i\a A =E,I ## (2) 3, ln view of the agreement to receive the above said amount of Rs,28,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Eight lakhs Only) from the appellant, the respondent / Mithu Thushar agreed that she will not make any further claim from the appellant in future and she has asserted that the above said amount has been received by her as full and final settlement in respect of marriage between them and she is not entitled for any other relief from the appellant. It is also agreed by the respondent / Mithu Thushar that she will not make any claim of maintenance for herself, as awarded in the order dated 28.06,2018 in M.C.No,65/2016 of Family Court, Palakkad, 4. In view of the settlement arrived between the parties, both parties had signed the joint application for divorce and they also agreed to give evidence in the joint application for divorce before the court. 5. In compliance of the clause 2 above the appellant herein had taken a D,D, bearing No. 001389 dated 16.03.2024 of HDFC Bank Hennur Road Branch Bangalore, for Rs.28,00,0000 (Rupees Twenty Eight lakhs Only) in the favour of the respondent and the same had been handed over to the counsel for the respondent / Mithu Thushar and the same will be given to the respondent Mithu Thushar on the day on which the joint application for divorce will come up for hearing. 6, The appellant/ Praveen Ravi agreed to return the gold ornaments weighing 458.04 grams to the counsel of the respondent on this day and that the respondent/Mithu Thushar has withdrawn the entire claim made in OP 268/2016 on the files of Family Court Palakkad and its challenge in Mat,Apl 455/2019 before this Honble High Court of Kerala. 7. The respondent / Mithu Thushar on this day will handover the gold chain (Tali and Chain) to the Counsel for Appellant / Praveen Ravi. **==> picture [174 x 37] intentionally omitted <==** **----- Start of picture text -----**<br> AppeLLant<br>Praveen Ravi<br> EEEEE=<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br> **==> picture [74 x 29] intentionally omitted <==** **----- Start of picture text -----**<br> Respondent<br>Mithu Tushar<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br> I.I.--,.15r,11` ifeL,+3\as{at€;it„, .„` ,.. r.`h`H`OKh;:h?,u.rt632%°;rta!'a tL\.... I d hit ## (3) 8, The appellant/Praveen Ravi hereby handed over all the certificate, Aadhar card, passport, Horoscope etc. of the respondent to her counsel on this day, 9. The counsel for the respondent/ Mithu Thushar shall keep the D,D,, certificates and gold ornaments in safe custody and shall hand over the same to the respondent / Mithu Thushar on the date of adducing evidence in the joint application for divorce. 10. In view of the settlement arrived between the parties, the respondent / Mithu Thushar agreed to withdraw Mat. Appeal.No.455/2019 which is now pending before the Hon'ble High Court of Kerala, Since the respondent / Mithu Thushar has agreed to withdraw the above Mat Apl 455/2019, signature of 2nd respondent Sri.M,K,Ravi is not necessary in the agreement, 11, This agreement between the parties will not in anyway affect the order of maintenance in favour of daughter Punya Praveen and her future rights. ln view of the aforesaid agreement entered into between the parties, the parties pray that the above Mat, Appeal may be disposed of in terms of aforesaid agreement. If any of the parties have violated any of the terms and conditions in the agreement, the other party is at a liberty to execute the same in accordance with law' ## Dated this the 20th day of March 2024. ^p::N€:\ean":awl #!]ri RI=Nph:"Tdu:h":I fu9S)i9' Counsel for the appellant Counsel for the respondent ng*¥TG=®,®9 The above settlement agreement is authenticated by by **me.** I:fjl*\ rfusx>s±\vultcrvn cgivd3PJ6 Wilson K,P #g,\f,6\£9, ife L 3\a Stats i\.ie:'3`j,:.'::a.ii'i {r:;.,i! t;/`ti`ic:i.iation centre`````` H.igh court of Kerala`````` H.igh court of Kerala Mediator ife L 3\a Stats i\.ie:'3`j,:.'::a.ii'i {r:;.,i! t;/`ti`ic:i.iation centre`````` H.igh court of Kerala`````` H.igh court of Kerala ```` Koch.I-682031