High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeTransfer petitions allowed; OP 470/2020 transfe...

TR.P(C) No. 314 of 2020 & Tr.P (Crl.) No. 38 of 2020

Case / Petition Number:TR.P(C) No. 314 of 2020 & Tr.P (Crl.) No. 38 of 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • C.S. Dias
Judgment Date
2022-06-10
Court Decision / Holding
The petitions are allowed. TR.P(C) No. 314/2020 is allowed by transferring OP No.470/2020 from the Family Court, Ettumanoor to the Family Court, Chavara. TR.P(Crl.) No.38/2020 is allowed by transferring M.C. No.7/2020 from JFMC, Changanasseri to JFMC Karunagappally. The parties may be dispensed from personal appearance and may use video conferencing as appropriate.
Final Disposition
Transfer petitions allowed; OP 470/2020 transferred to the Family Court, Chavara; MC 7/2020 transferred to JFMC Karunagappally; personal appearance may be dispensed with and video conferencing may be used.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Dr Abdul Samad

Respondents

  • Sabeena Haneefa
  • Sameer Abdul Samad
  • Selma Abdul Samad

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • P. Martin Jose
  • • Sri S. Sreekumar (Sr.)
  • • Sri P. Prijith
  • • Sri Thomas P. Kuruvilla
  • • Sri Ajay Ben Jose
  • • Sri Manjunath Menon
  • • Sri Harikrishnan S.

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Sri G. Sreekumar (Chelur)
  • • Sri Zakhier Huzain

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a common order of the High Court of Kerala, deciding two transfer petitions filed by a husband (Dr Abdul Samad) seeking transfer of his OP and the criminal proceedings involving his wife and children. TR.P(C) No.314/2020, under Section 24 CPC, sought transfer of OP No.470/2020 from the Family Court, Ettumanoor, to the Family Court, Chavara. TR.P(Crl.) No.38/2020, under Section 407 CrPC, sought transfer of M.C.No.7/2020 from the JFMC, Changanasseri, to the JFMC, Karunagappally. Respondents are the wife Sabeena Haneefa and their children. The petitioner contends that both parties reside in Karunagappally and the shared household is in Kulasekhara Puram, making proceedings more convenient if transferred to Chavara and Karunagappally. The respondents oppose, citing matrimonial cruelty and the ongoing prosecution, arguing that transfer would disrupt proceedings and that the wife has little means but would be accompanied by her father if required. The Court notes that Annexure-3 shows the wife residing at Karunagappally, and it cites the principle from Vidya Mundekkat v. Akhilesh Jayaram that there is no invariable rule mandating transfer merely on inconvenience. After considering pleadings and circumstances, the Court allows both transfers, emphasizing proximity and convenience, and directs that personal appearance may be dispensed with or video conferencing arranged as needed.

Provisions of Law Cited

Code of Civil Procedure, Section 24Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 407

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Discretionary power to transfer under CPC Section 24 and CrPC Section 407
  • No invariable rule that transfer must be granted on inconvenience (as per Vidya Mundekkat v. Akhilesh Jayaram, 2021 (6) KHC 506)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioner argues that CPC Section 24 confers discretionary power to transfer when it would be convenient and in the interest of justice, especially since both parties reside in Karunagappally and the shared household is located in Kulasekhara Puram. They emphasize the proximity of the relevant courts to the parties’ residence and the practical difficulties of traveling to Ettumanoor and Changanassery, including the possibility of videoconferencing to avoid hardship. The petitioner also notes his health constraints and absence of convenient access to travel, urging that the transfer would not prejudice the proceedings but would facilitate them.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents contend that the petitioner has persecuted the family and violated court orders, with continuing prosecution; they argue that transferring to distant courts would complicate matters and that the wife relies on protection orders already in place, with her father available to accompany her if needed. They question the necessity and timing of the transfers and urge the court to reject the petitions to avoid hampering prosecution and to ensure the wife’s safety and convenience in the current arrangement.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Vidhya Mundekkat v. Akhilesh Jayaram2021 (6) KHC 506PositiveCited to illustrate that there is no invariable rule forcing transfer merely on inconvenience and that discretionary transfer under CPC 24 and CrPC 407 should consider the circumstances of the case.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 1 # **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.S.DIAS** **FRIDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JUNE 2022 / 20TH JYAISHTA, 1944 TR.P(C) NO. 314 OF 2020** **OP 470/2020 OF FAMILY COURT, KOTTAYAM** ## **PETITIONER/S:** DR.ABDUL SAMAD AGED 62 YEARS S/O. LATE KANJIKKAL MYTHEEN KUNJU, SELMA MANZIL HOUSE, NO.466/XII, KULASEKHARA PURAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KULASEKARA PURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY, PINCODE-690 544, NOW TEMPORARILY RESIDING AT IMARA , NEAR SHALIMAR CASHEW FACTORY, KULASEKHARAPURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY-690 544 BY ADVS. P.MARTIN JOSE SRI.S.SREEKUMAR (SR.) SRI.P.PRIJITH SRI.THOMAS P.KURUVILLA SRI.AJAY BEN JOSE SRI.MANJUNATH MENON SHRI.HARIKRISHNAN S. ## **RESPONDENT/S:** 1 SABEENA HANEEFA AGED 53 YEARS D/O. P.H.HANNEFA, PARKKAVETTY HOUSE, PERUNNA P.O., CHANGANASSERY, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT,PINCODE-686 102, NOW RESIDING AT SELMA MANZIL HOUSE, NO.466/XII, KULASEKHARA PURAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KULASEKARA PURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY, PIN CODE-690 54 2 DR.SAMEER ABDUL SAMAD, AGED 29 YEARS TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 2 S/O. DR. ABDUL SAMAD, SELMA MANZIL HOUSE, NO.466/XII, KULASEKHARA PURAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KULASEKARA PURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY, PINCODE-690 544, NOW TEMPORARILY RESIDING AT IMARA , NEAR SHALIMAR CASHEW FACTORY, KULASEKHARAPURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY-690 544 3 SELMA ABDUL SAMAD, AGED 30 YEARS D/O. DR.ABDUL SAMAD, SELMA MANZIL HOUSE, NO.466/XII, KULASEKHARA PURAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KULASEKARA PURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY, PINCODE-690 544, BY ADVS. SRI.G.SREEKUMAR (CHELUR) SRI.ZAKHIER HUZZAIN THIS TRANSFER PETITION (C) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.06.2022, ALONG WITH Tr.P(Crl.).38/2020, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 3 # **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.S.DIAS** **FRIDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JUNE 2022 / 20TH JYAISHTA, 1944 TR.P(CRL.) NO. 38 OF 2020** ## **PETITIONER/S:** DR. ABDUL SAMAD AGED 62 YEARS S/O.LATE KANJIKKAL MYTHEEN KUNJU, SELMA MANZIL HOUSE NO.466/XII, KULASHEKHARA PURAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KULASHEKARA PURAM VILLAGE K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPALLY,,PIN-690 544, NOW TEMPORARILY RESIDING AT IMARA, NEAR SHALIMAR CASHEW FACTORY, KULASHEKHARAPURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY-690 544. BY ADVS. SRI.S.SREEKUMAR (SR.) SRI.P.MARTIN JOSE SRI.P.PRIJITH SRI.THOMAS P.KURUVILLA SRI.AJAY BEN JOSE SRI.MANJUNATH MENON SHRI.HARIKRISHNAN S. ## **RESPONDENT/S:** 1 SABEENA HANEEFA, AGED 53 YEARS D/O.P.H.HANNEFA, PARAKKAVETTY HOUSE, PERUNNA P.O., CHANGANASSERY, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT PIN-686 102, NOW RESIDING AT SELMA MANZIL HOUSE NO.466/XII,, KULASHEKHARA PURAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KULASHEKARA PURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPALLY, PIN690 544. 2 DR.SAMEER ABDUL SAMAD AGED 29 YEARS S/O.DR.ABDUL SAMAD, SELMA MANZIL HOUSE, TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 4 NO.466/XII, KULASHEKHARA PURAM GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KULASHEKARA PURAM VILLAGE K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPALLY. PIN-690 544. NOW TEMPORARILY RESIDING AT IMARA NEAR SHALIMAR CASHEW FACTORY, KULASHEKHARAPURAM VILLAGE, K.S.PURAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY-690 544. BY ADVS. SRI.G.SREEKUMAR (CHELUR) SRI.ZAKHIER HUZZAIN THIS TRANSFER PETITION (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.06.2022, ALONG WITH Tr.P(C).314/2020, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 5 ## **COMMON ORDER** As these transfer petitions are between the same parties, they are being disposed of by this common order. 2. Tr.P(C) No.314/2020 is filed by the husband, under Section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure, seeking to transfer OP No.470/2020 from the Family Court, Ettumanoor to the Family Court, Chavara. The respondents in the transfer petitions are his wife and children. Tr.P(Crl.) No.38/2020 is filed by the husband against the wife and children, under Section 407 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, seeking to transfer M.C.No.7/2020 from the Court of the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Changanasseri to the Court of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Karunagappalli. The parties are, for the sake of convenience, referred to as per their status in Tr.P(C) No.314/2020. 3. The 1[st] respondent - wife - has filed OP TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 6 No.470/2020 (Annexure 1) before the Family Court, Ettumanoor, seeking decrees for declaration of title and declaration that the talaqu notices sent by the petitioner – husband - are null and void. The respondents 2 and 3 are the children of the petitioner and the 1[st] respondent. The 1[st] respondent has also filed MC No.7/2020 (Annexure 2) before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Changanasseri, under the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, against the husband – petitioner and the children. In Annexure 2, the learned Magistrate has passed Annexure 3 order, granting the 1[st] respondent a residence and maintenance order. On the basis of Annexure 3, the 1[st] respondent is residing in the shared house hold at Karunagappally. No cause of action for filing Annexure 1 has arisen within the jurisdiction of the Family Court, Ettumanoor. The petitioner is a Pediatrician working in AM Hospital, Karunagappally. TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 7 The 2[nd] respondent is a Doctor pursuing his Post Graduation in New Delhi. The petitioner is suffering from various ailments. He will not be in a position to travel to Ettumanoor to contest the case. More over, since the petitioner and the 1[st] respondent are residing in Karunagappilly, no useful purpose would be served in having the proceedings conducted at Ettumaoor and Changanasseri. Hence, Annexures 1 and 2 may be transferred from the Family Court, Ettumanoor and Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Changanasseri to the Family Court, Chavara and the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Karunagappilly, respectively. 4. The 1[st] respondent has filed a counter affidavit in Tr.P(Crl.) No.38/2020, interalia, contending that the petitioner has treated her with severe matrimonial cruelty. In the above circumstances, she was compelled to file Annexures 1 and 2. The petitioner has violated Annexure 3 order. The prosecution proceeding is TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 8 pending before the learned Magistrate. The petitioner’s sole intention is to avoid the prosecution proceeding. A person who has violated an order of the Court, shall not be shown any leniency. Even though the 1[st] respondent is residing at Karunagappally, she does not have any means. Therefore, it would be difficult for her to appear before the Courts at Chavara and Karunagappilly, as there is no person to chaperone her. On the other hand, if the cases are prosecuted at Ettumanoor and Changanasseri, her father would accompany her. Hence, the transfer petitions may be dismissed. 5. Heard; Sri. Prijith P., the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Sri.G.Sreekumar, the learned counsel appearing for the 1[st] respondent. Even though service is complete on the respondents 2 and 3, there is no appearance for them. 6. It is evident from Annexure 3 order passed by the learned Magistrate, that the petitioner and the TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 9 respondents 2 and 3 are restrained from dispossessing the 1[st] respondent from the shared house hold i.e., the house bearing No.466/XII in Kulasekharapuram Grama Panchayath, the petitioner is to pay the 1[st] respondent an amount of Rs.20,000/- and the petitioner and the 2[nd] respondent are restrained from committing any act of domestic violence or any sort of verbal or physical harassment to the 1[st] respondent until further orders. 7. A reading of Annexure 1 original petition would establish that the 1[st] respondent was all through out residing in the shared household, from the date of her marriage with the petitioner on 30.11.1986 till date. Thus the 1[st] respondent is a permanent resident of Karunagappally. Her sole contention in the counter affidavit is that, there is no persons to accompany her from her residence at Karunagappally to the Family Court, Chavara and the Judicial First Class Magistrate's Court, Karunagappilly. On the other hand, if the cases TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 10 are permitted to be prosecuted before the Courts they are pending now, her father would accompany her. It is also on record that the petitioner is a Doctor by profession and is now aged 64 years. 8. This Court in **Vidhya Mundekkat vs. Akhilesh Jayaram [** 2021 (6) KHC 506], has categorically held that there is no invariable rule that whenever a wife makes a request for transfer pointing out an inconvenience, this Court is obliged to exercise its powers under Section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The same principle also apply when the wife opposes a transfer petition on the ground of inconvenience, and also under proceedings filed under Section 407 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 9. On a comprehensive appreciation of the pleadings and materials on record, particularly the fact that the 1[st] respondent is residing in the shared household as per Annexure 3 at Karunagappally, which TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 11 is the same place where the petitioner is residing and the Courts are in close proximity to the residence of the parties, I am of the firm view that the petitioner has made out a case for ordering the transfer of Annexures 1 and 2, which would be convenient for both the petitioner and the 1[st] respondent. Therefore, I am inclined to exercise the discretionary powers of this Court, both under Section 24 of the Code of Civil Procedure and 407 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to order the transfer of Annexures 1 and 2. In the result: - i. Tr.P(C) No.314/2020 is allowed by ordering transfer of OP No.470/2020 from the Family Court, Ettumanoor to the Family Court, Chavara. - ii. Tr.P(Crl) No.38/2020 is allowed by ordering transfer of M.C. No.7/2020, and all applications including the application for prosecution, from the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 12 Changanasseri to the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Karunagappally. iii. The parties would be at liberty to move the Courts and seek dispensation of their personal appearance and for the video conferencing facility. Sd/- **C.S.DIAS, JUDGE** rkc/10.06.22 TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 13 ## **APPENDIX OF TR.P(CRL.) 38/2020** PETITIONER'S ANNEXURES ANNEXURE-1 TRUE COPY OF M.C.NO.7/2020 FILED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT FILED BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, CHANGANASSERY. ANNEXURE-2 TRUE COPY OF COMMON ORDER DATED 28/1/20 IN CMP NO.674/2020 AND CMP.NO.674(A) OF 2020 OF THE JFMC, CHANGANASSERY. ANNEXURE-3 TRUE COPY OF PETITION IN OP.NO.470/2020 BEFORE THE FAMILY COURT, ETTUMANOOR. TR.P(C) No. 314 & Tr.P (Crl.)No. 38 of 2020 14 ## **APPENDIX OF TR.P(C) 314/2020** PETITIONER'S ANNEXURES ANNEXURE-1 TRUE COPY OF PETITION IN O.P.NO.470 OF 2020 BEFORE THE FAMILY COURT, ETTUMANOOR ANNEXURE-2 TRUE COPY OF M.C.NO.7 OF 2020 FILED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT FILED BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, CHANGANASSERY ANNEXURE-3 TRUE COPY OF COMMON ORDER DATED 28.01.2020 IN C.M.P.NO.674 OF 2020 AND C.M.P.NO.674 (A) OF 2020 OF THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, CHANGANASSERY