MP High Court Fines Wife Rs 1 Lakh for Pursuing Legal Action Against Husband Despite Mutual Divorce

In a recent development concerning a contentious matrimonial dispute, the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued a significant ruling, dismissing the FIR lodged against the petitioners and subsequent legal proceedings. The case, brought under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.), revolved around allegations leveled by the respondent against the petitioners, invoking various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The petitioners, represented by their legal counsel, vigorously argued for the FIR’s dismissal, pointing to a settlement agreement reached between the parties. As per the agreement, a divorce decree by mutual consent had been obtained, and the respondent had received a substantial sum of Rs.50 lakhs as part of the settlement. However, despite the settlement terms, the respondent had failed to withdraw the FIR.

In delivering the judgment, Justice Subodh Abhyankar, presiding over the case, made scathing remarks regarding the misuse of the legal process. In his words, “The process of the court cannot be used to settle the personal scores of the private parties.” The judge emphasized that courts exist for serious litigation, and unscrupulous litigants cannot be allowed to waste valuable court time.

The court meticulously examined the evidence presented and found it insufficient to support the allegations, particularly those under Section 313 of the IPC. The judge remarked, “Even if the documents filed along with the charge sheet are accepted to be true, the charge under Section 313 of IPC is not at all made out and appears to have been added with the mala fide intentions of harassing the petitioners.”