RULES OF VARIOUS HIGH COURTS UNDER HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955 PART IX

8. HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT HINDU MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE RULES, 1982¹

1. Short title and commencement.—(1) These rules may be called the Hindu Marriage and Divorce (Himachal Pradesh) Rules, 1982.

(2) These rules shall come into force with effect from the date of their publication in the Himachal Pradesh Rajpatra.

2. Definitions.—In these rules:

(a)   ‘Act’ means the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Act No.25 of 1955), as amended from time to time.

(b)   ‘Code’ means the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, as amended or modified from time to time;

(c)   ‘Court’ means the Court mentioned in Section 3 (b) of the Act;

(d)   ‘Form’ means a form appended to these rules;

(e)   ‘Section ‘ and ‘sub-section ‘ mean, respectively, section and sub­section of the Act;

(f)   all other terms and expressions used herein, but not defined shall have the meaning respectively assigned to them in the Act.

3. Forms of Proceedings.—

(1) The following proceedings under the Act shall be instituted by petitions. Each petition shall be numbered as Hindu Marriage Petition No………………..of 20…………

(a)   under Section 9 of the Act for restitution of conjugal rights;

(b)   under sub-section (1) of Section 10 for judicial separation;

(c)   under sub-section (2) of Section 10 for rescinding a decree for judicial separation;

(d)          under Section 11 for declaring a marriage null and void;

(e)           under Section 12 for annulment of marriage by a decree of nullity;

(f)           under Section 13 and 13(5,) for divorce;

(g)   under Section 14 for leave to present a petition for divorce before the expiration of one year from the date of marriage;

(h)   under Section 25 for the grant of permanent alimony and maintenance;

(i)   under Section 26 for making, revoking, suspending or varying orders and provisions with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of minor children.

(2) Every other proceedings subsequent to the petition shall be treated as art interlocutory application and shall not be registered separately.

1.     Vide No.HHC Administration 22 (7) 78, dated 10th January, 1983. published in the H.P. Rajpatra, Extraordinary, dated 5th February, 1983 (at pp. 141-63).

4. Petition.—

(1) Every petition, application, affidavit, decree or order under the Act shall be headed by a cause title in Form I and shall set forth the provision of the Act and/or the. rules under which it is made.

(2) Every petition under the Act shall be accompanied by either a certified extract from the Hindu Marriage Register maintained under Section 8 of the Act where the marriage has been registered under the Act or in absence of the same an affidavit to the effect that the petitioner was married to the respondent.

(3) Every petition for divorce on any grounds mentioned in clauses (i) and (ii) of sub-section (1-A) of Section 13 of the Act, shall be supported by a certified copy of the decree for judicial separation or for restitution of conjugal rights, as the case may be.

(4) Every petition under the Act shall, so far as practicable, conform to the forms appended to these rules.

5. Contents of petition.—In addition to the required, to be given under Order VII, rule 1 of the Code and Section 20(1) of the Act, all petitions under Sections 9 to 14 of the Act shall state :

  (a)     the place and date of marriage;

(b)   whether the petitioner and the respondent were Hindus by religion at the time of marriage and whether they continue to be so up to the date of filling of the petitioner;

(c)   the name, status, domicile of the parties to the marriage before the marriage and at the time of filing the petition;

(d)   the place(s) and address (es) where the parties to the marriage have cohabited including the address at the time of presentation of the petition and where they last resided together;

(e)   where there have been previous proceedings with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of any party; is so, the result oi those proceedings;

(f)   whether any children were born of the marriage and, if so, the
date and place of birth, name and sex of each child separately and
”  whether alive or dead;

(g)   the matrimonial offences charged or other grounds, upon which relief is sought setting out with sufficient particularly, the time and place of the acts alleged and other facts relied upon, but not the evidence by which they^are tcrtse proved, e.g.

__    (i) if the petition is for restitution of conjugal rights, the date on or from which and the circumstances under which respondent withdrew from the society of the petitioner;

(ii)   if the petition is for judicial separation/divorce by either of the spouses on the ground that the other party has, after the solemnization of the marriage, had voluntarily sexual intercourse with any person other than his or her spouse, the petitioner shall state the name, occupation and place of residence of such person or persons so far as they can be ascertained, the specific act of sexual intercourse and the occasion when and the place where such acts were committed;

(iii)   in case of the desertion, the date and circumstances in which it began;

(iv)   in the case of cruelty the specific acts of cruelty and the occasion when and the place where such acts were committed and that the petitioner has not in any manner condoned such acts of the respondent;

(v)   in a petition for decree of nullity of marriage on the grounds specified in clauses (c) and(d) of sub-section (1) of Section 12 of the Act the particulars of force or fraud and the circumstances in which force or fraud had been practiced along with the time the facts relied upon were discovered and whether or not material intercourse with the consent of the petitioner took place after the discovery of the said facts;

(vi)   in the case of unsoundness of mind or mental disorder, the time when such mental disorder or unsoundness of mind began, to, manifest itself and the nature and period of curative steps taken;

(vii)   in the case of virulent and incurable form of leprosy or venereal disease in a communicable form when such ailment began to manifest itself and the nature and the period of curative steps taken;

(viii)   in the case of conversion to another religion or of renouncing the world by entering any religious order, the date of renunciation or conversation and the particulars of religion or of religion or of religious order which the respondent has entered into;

(ix)   in the petition on the ground specified in clause (vii) of sub-section (1) of Section

13 of the date and place where .the respondent was last seen or heard of alive and the i .   steps, if any, taken to ascertain his or her where abouts;

(x)   where the petition is founded on any of the grounds specified in clause (ii) of sub-section (2) of Section 13 of the Act, the occasion when, place where and the name and address of the persons with whom the acts of rape or sodomy were committed or the particulars of the beast with whom the husband had been guilty of bestiality. In

case of conviction for committing rape or sodomy the particulars thereof;

(xi)   in petition for divorce on the ground specified in clause (in) of sub-section (2) of Section 13 of the Act, particulars of the decree under Section 18 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, or of an order under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, together with an affidavit that since the passing of such decree or order, there has been no cohabitation between the parties for a period of one year or upwards;

(xii)   in the case of a petition under clause (if) of sub-section (2) of Section 13 of the Act, the date and place of birth of the wife together with the date and place of repudiation and its mode;

(xiii)  the property mentioned in Section 27 of the Act, if any;

(xiv)   the reliefs prayed for.

6. Affidavits.—(1) Every petition under Section 13(B) of the Act, the grounds of consent for divorce narrated in the petition shall be supported by separate affidavits of the parties stating that the consent has not been obtained by force, fraud or undue influence.

(2) Every petition except petitions under Sections 11 and 13-B shall be accompanied by an affidavit to the effect that it is not presented or prosecuted in collusion with the respondent.

(3) The petition for divorce/judicial separation on the ground that the other party has, after the solemnization of the marriage, had voluntary sexual intercourse with any person other than his or her spouse, shall be supported by an affidavit to the effect that the petitioner lias not, in any manner, been an accessory to or connived at or condoned the act or acts complained of.

(4) The petition on the ground specified in clause (1A) of sub-section (1) of Section 13 or on the ground of cruelty, shall be accompanied by an affidavit to the effect that the petitioner has not condoned the act accompanied of.

(5) Every petition under clause (0 of sub-section (1-A) of Section 13 of the Act, shall be accompanied by an affidavit made by the petitioner that there has been no resumption of cohabitation as between the parties to the marriage for a period of one year or upwards after the passing of a decree, for judicial separation in the proceedings to which they were parties.

(6) Every petition under clause (ii) of sub-section (1-A) of Section 13 of the Act, shall be accompanied by an affidavit made by the petitioner to the effect that there has been no restitution of conjugal rights as between the parties to the marriage for a period of one year or upwards after the passing of a decree for restitution of conjugal rights in the proceedings to which they were parties.

7. Necessary parties. — (1) In every petition for judicial separation or divorce on the ground that the respondents has, after the solemnization of marriage, had voluntary sexual intercourse with any person other than his/ her spouse, the petitioner shall make the alleged adulterer or adulteress a correspondent.

Provided that the joinder of such adulterer or adulteress as a co-respondent may be dispensed with by the Court, on application of the petitioner on the following grounds;

(a)  that the name of such person is unknown to the petitioner although he/she had due efforts for discovery;

(b)  that such person is dead;

(c)   that the respondent wife is leading a life of a prostitute and the petitioner knows of no person with whom voluntary sexual intercourse has been committed; or

(d)  any other reason that the Court considers sufficient.

(2) In every petition under Section 11 of the Act on the ground that the respondent had a spouse living at the time of his/her marriage with the petitioner, such other spouse shall be made a co-respondent.

(3) In every petition under Section 13 (2) (i) of the Act, the petitioner shall make “the other wife” mentioned in that Section a co-respondent.

8. Petition by or against a person suffering from mental disorders. — A

person suffering from mental disorder will be treated in all respects as a person of unsound mind for the purpose of Order XXXII of the Code.

9. Petition of minor. — (1) Where the petitioner is a minor, he/she shall sue through his/her next friend, to be approved by the Court, and no petition under the Act on behalf of the minor shall be filed until the next friend has undertaken in writing to be liable for costs. Such undertaking shall be filed in Court along with the petition, and the next friend shall thereupon be liable for costs in the same manner and to the extent as if he were a plaintiff in an ordinary suit.

(2) Every petition on behalf of the minor shall supported by an affidavit of the next friend stating :

(a)     the age and date of birth of the minor;

(b)   that the next friend has no interest adverse to

(c)  that the next friend is a fit and proper person to act as such; and

(d)  the relationship, if any, of the next friend with the minor.

(3) The Court shall, on consideration of the affidavit and such other evidence as it may require, record its approval to the representation of the minor by the next friend or pass such orders as it may deem fit. — — -_

10. Presentation of petition. — Every petition or application under the Act shall be presented to the Court in person or through Advocate or Pleader or a Recognized Agent.

11. Notice to respondent.—(1) A notice of every petition or application under the Act shall be issued to the respondent(s) in Form II to appear and answer the claim on a day to be specified therein:

Provided that no such notice would be necessary when the respondent appears, either in person or through Counsel or Agent, at the time of presentation of the petition or application.

(2) Every notice issued under sub-rule (1) above shall be accompanied by a copy of the petition or application and the affidavit; if any. The petitioner or applicant shall, along with the petition or application, file the required number of copies of the petition or application and the affidavit, if any, together with the process fee prescribed under the law.

12. Application for leave.—(1) Every application under Section 14 of the Act for leave shall be supported by an affidavit of the applicant stating:

(a)   the grounds on which the application is made;

(b)   the particulars of the exceptional hardships and depravity alleged;

(c)  whether there has been any previous application under the said Section , if so, with what result,

(d)   whether there are living children of the marriage, if so, the names and dates of birth or ages of such children, sex and where and with whom such children are residing;

(e)   whether there has been any attempt at reconciliation;      

(f)   the circumstances which may assist the Court to determine the question whether there is a reasonable probability of a reconciliation between the parties.

. _   

 (2) Notice of the application shall be given to the respondent who may contest the same by filing counter-affidavit.

(3) Evidence, in support of or against the application may, unless the Court otherwise directs, be given by affidavits.

(4) The Court may, if necessary in exceptional circumstances, either of its own motion or on the application of the party, order a deponent to be cross-examined on-his/her affidavit.

(5) Every application under Section 14 of the Act shall be accompanied by the petition intended to be filed.

(6) On the leave having been granted by the Court, the petition shall be deemed to have been duly filed on the date of the said order provided the court-fee thereon is paid within the time allowed by the Court.

13. Contents of written statement.—(1) Every written statement in answer to a petition shall set out the particulars, as far as may be, set out in Rule 5 above.

(2) Where a counter-claim is made in terms of Section 23-A of the Act, it shall comply with the rules applicable to the petition on the like grounds.

14. Intervenor’s petitions.—(1) Unless the Court for good cause shown otherwise directs, where the written statement of the respondent alleges adultery by the petitioner with a named man or woman, a certified copy of such statement of such material portion thereof containing such allegations shall be served on such man or woman accompanied by a notice that such person is entitled within the time therein specified to apply for leave to intervene in the case.

(2) Every application for leave to intervene in the case shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the intervenor.

(3) Notice of the application, together with a copy of the application and affidavit, shall be served on all parties who shall be at liberty to file the counter-affidavits.

(4) If after hearing all the parties the Court grants leave, the intervenor may take part in the trial subject to such terms and conditions as the Court may deem fit to impose.

(5) A person to whom leave to intervene has been granted, may file in the Court an answer to the petition or written statement containing the charges against such intervenor.

(6) Thenceforth the intervenor shall be treated as a party to the proceedings and shall be liable or entitled to costs, as the case may be, according to law.

15. Mode of taking evidence.—The witnesses in all proceedings under the Act before the Court shall be examined orally and any party may offer himself or herself as a witness and shall be examined and any be cross-examined and re-examined like any other witness.

16. Applications for alimony and maintenance.—Every application for maintenance pendente lite, permanent alimony and maintenance, or for custody, maintenance and education expenses of minor children, shall be supported by an affidavit and shall state :

(a)   the average monthly income of the petitioner;

(b)  the sources of their income;

(c)  particulars of other movable and/or immovable property owned by them jointly or severally;

(d)   the details of liabilities if any, along with the number of their dependants, if any, and the names and ages of su ‘  dependants.

17. Custody of children.—The petitioner or respondent spouse or the guardian of any child or marriage may, at any time, either before or after the decree, apply to the Court for the custody or education of the children of the marriage and the Court may pass such orders as may be deemed fit subject to the provisions of Section 26 of the Act.                             

18. Costs against co-respondent.—(1) The Court may also direct the whole or any part of the costs of the petition to be paid by the co-respondent.

Provided that a co-respondent shall not be ordered to pay the petitioner’s costs:

(a)   if the co-respondent had, at the time of commission of such acts, no reason to believe the respondent to be a married woman; or

(b)   if the respondent wife at the time of voluntary intercourse was living apart from her husband and leading the life of a prostitute.

(2) The Court may assess costs and make an order for payment thereof notwithstanding that the respondent or the co-respondent or both of them have remained ex parte.

19. Pleader’s fee.—Pleader’s fee may be fixed by the Court as it may consider appropriate taking into consideration the nature of the proceedings and the status of the parties.

20. Taxation of costs.—Unless otherwise directed by the Court, the costs of the petition under the Act shall be costs as taxed in a civil suit.

21. Register to be maintained.—Every Court shall maintain a register in which the details regarding petition shall be entered and shall conform to Civil Register No. III maintained for divorce and matrimonial cases.

22. Supply of certified copies.—(1) In every case where a marriage is dissolved by a decree of divorce, the Court passing the decree shall give a copy thereof free of cost to each of the parties. The copy so supplied shall be authenticated as “true copy of the Reader of the Court passing the decree”.

(2) The Court shall maintain a register where the particulars of the decree shall be incorporated and signatures of the parties of their Advocates or Agents shall be obtained in token of their having received a copy of the decree.

(3) The Court shall send a certified copy of decree for divorce or nullity of marriage or dissolution of marriage, where the marriage had been registered under Section 8 of the Act, to the Register of Marriage in charge of the Hindu Marriage Act Register if any.

23. Forms.—The forms given in the Appendix to these rules shall, with such modifications and variations as the circumstances of each case may require, be used in the proceedings under the Act.

24. Trial.—The trial of a petition under the Act shall, so far as it practicable, be continued from day to day until its conclusion and every Endeavour shall be made to conclude the trial within six months from the service of the notice of the petition on the respondent.

25. Appeal.—Appeal to the High Court from decrees and orders of the Court shall be governed by the Appellate Side rules of the High Court as far as they may be applicable.

26. Repeal.—The rules framed by the erstwhile Court of Judicial Commissioner, Himachal Pradesh as published under Notification No. J.C.16 (148-59), dated 17th December, 1959 and the rules contained in Chapter 1-E, Part E. Vol, II, of the Punjab High Court Rules and Orders as applicable to Himachal Pradesh shall stand repealed.

FORM No. 1

In the Court of…………………at…………………

H.M.Petition No………………….of 20…………………

In the matter of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

 A.B………………………………………………………………………….Petitioner

Versus

C.D……………………………………………………………………….Respondent

………………………………………………………………………..Co-respondent

Petition under Section …………………of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and

Rule …………………of the Rules under the Hindus Marriage Act.

FORM No. 2

In the Court of…………………at…………………

H.M. Petition No………………….of 20…………………

In the matter of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955

……………………………………………………………………………….Petitioner

Versus

………………………………………………………………………………Respondent

To

Take notice that the petitioner…………………above-named, has presented

a  petition  application  against  you  for…………………under  section

…………………of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Act No.25 of 1955). Copy of

the said petition/application is sent herewith.                                 

You are hereby directed to appear in this Court on…………………day

of……..:…………20…………………at 10.a.m. to answer the said petition/

application either in person or by a recognized agent or an Advocate duly
instructed and able to answer all material questions relating to case and you
are further directed to produce on that day all documents upon which you
intend to rely in support of your defence. Written statement/reply, if any, be
filed on the said date.                                          __________

You are further informed that in default of your appearance on the day and in the manner above mentioned, the petition/application shall be heard and determined ex parte.

Given under my hand and seal of the Court, this…………………day

of…………………20…………………

                                                                                                                 Judge

At…………………

FORM NO. 3

In the District Court at…………………

…………………………………………………………………………….. .Petitioner

Versus

………………………………………………………………………………Respondent

Petition for restitution of conjugal rights under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (No.25 of 1955).

The petitioner prays as follows.

1.     A     marriage     was     solemnized     between     the    parties on…………………at…………………A certified extract from the Hindu Marriage

Register/an affidavit duly attested is filed herewith.

2. The status and place of residence of the parties to the marriage before the marriage and at the time of filling the petition were as follows.

Husband                                                Wife

(i)                 Before marriage

(ii)                At the time of filing the petition

——————————————————————————————————

[Whether a party is a Hindu by religion or not is a part of his or her status. Also state whether bachelor/spinster, widow (er) or divorcee].

_     

3. [In this paragraph particulars and place(s) of cohabitation as husband and wife and the children from the marriage, If any, may be given. The date and place of birth and name and sex of each child and the fact whether alive or dead should also be stated]…………………

4. The respondent has, without reasonable excuse, withdrawn from the society of the petitioner with effect from…………………(cause of the

estrangement as known to the petitioner may be stated.)

5. The petition is not presented in collusion with the respondent.

6. There has not been any unnecessary or improper delay in filing this petition.

7. There is no other legal ground why relief should not be granted.

7. There is no other legal ground why relief should not be granted.

8. There has not been any previous proceeding with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of any party.

Or,

There have been the following previous proceedings with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of the parties :

9. The marriage was solemnized at……………………………………………….

or The husband and wife reside at……………………………………………..

The husband and wife last resided together at…………………within

the local limits of the Ordinary Original Civil Jurisdiction of this Court.

10. The petitioner prays for a decree for restitution of conjugal rights against the respondent.

Petitioner

Verification

The above-named petitioner states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to…………………of the petition are true to the best of the petitioner’s

information and belief.

Verified at…………………(place)

Dated…………………

Petitioner

FORM NO. 4

In the District Court at………………

……………………………………………………………………………….                          Petitioner

Versus

………………………………………………………………………………..Respondent

…………………………………………………………………………………..Co-Respondent

Petition for judicial separation under Section 10 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (25 of 1955).

2. The status and place of residence of the parries to the marriage before the marriage and at the time of filing the petition were as follows :

Husband                                                Wife

(iii)             Before marriage

(iv)              At the time of filing the petition

——————————————————————————————————

 [Whether a party is a Hindu by religion or not is a part of his or her status].

3. [In this paragraph particulars and place(s) of cohabitation as husband and wife and the children from the marriage, if any, may be given. The date and place of birth and name and sex of each child and the fact whether alive or dead should also be stated.]

4. The respondent has…………………(any one or more of the grounds

specified in Section 10 may be pleaded here. The matrimonial offences charged should be set out in separate paragraphs, with times and places of their alleged commission. The facts on which the claim to relief is founded should be stated as distinctly as the nature of the case permits. If adultery is pleaded the petitioner should give particulars as nearly as he can of the acts of adultery alleged to have been committed).

5. [Where the ground if petition is the ground specified in Section 13 (1) (i), the petitioner, should state that he has not in any manner been accessory to or connived at or condoned the act(s) complained of.]

6. [Where the ground of petition is cruelty, the petitioner has not in any manner condoned the cruelty.]

7. The petition is not presented in collusion with the respondent.

8. There has not been any unnecessary or improper delay in filling this petition.

9. There is no other legal ground why the relief should not be granted.

10. There has not been any previous proceeding with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of any party.

Or,

There have been the following previous proceedings with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of the parties :

Serial No.

Names of parties

Nature of proceedings with Section of the Act

Number and year of the case

Name and location of the Court

 (i)

 (ii)

 (iii)

 (iv)

11. The marriage was solemnized at…………………

Or, The husband and wife reside at…………………

–     Or, The husband and wife last resided together at…………………within the

local limits of the Ordinary Civil Jurisdiction of this Court.

12. The petitioner, therefore, prays for a decree of judicial separation against the respondent.

Petitioner.

Verification

The above-named petitioner states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to…………………of the petition are true to the best of the petitioner’s

information and belief.

Verified at … …………………………….(place)

Dated………………………………………………………….

Petitioner

FORM NO.  5

In the District Court at ……………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………Petitioner

Versus …………………                               

……………………………………………………..                         Respondent 

Petition for a decree of nullity of marriage under Section 11 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (No.25 of 1955).

The petitioner prays as follows.

1.  A marriage was solemnized between the parties after the commencement of the Hindu Marriage Act on…………………at…………………A

Certified  extract from the Hindu Marriage Register/affidavit duly attested is filed herewith.

2. The status and place of residence of the parties to the marriage before the marriage and at the time of filing the petition were as follows :

                                                            
Husband                                                Wife

(v)               Before marriage

(vi)              At the time of filing the petition

——————————————————————————————————

Whether a party is a Hindu by religion or not is a part of his or her status].

3. [In this paragraph particulars and place(s) of cohabitation as husband and wife and the children from the marriage, if any, may be given. The date and place of birth and name and sex of each child and the fact whether alive or dead should also be stated.]

4. The respondent had a spouse living at the time of the marriage (state full particulars).

                                                     Or,

The parties are within the degrees of prohibited relationship and there is no custom or usage governing each of them which permits of a marriage between the two. (Exact relationship between the parties should be given).

Or,

The parties are sapindas of each other and there is no custom or usage governing each of them which permits of a MARRIAGE between the two. (Exact relationship between the parties should be specified).

(One or more of the above grounds may be pleaded and portions which

are not applicable should be scored out. Facts on which the claim to relief is

founded should be stated as distinctly as the nature of the case permits. The

matrimonial offences charged should be set out in separate paragraph with

times and places of their alleged commission).

5. There has not been any unnecessary or improper delay in filling the petitioner.

6. There is no other legal ground why the relief should not be granted.

7.There has not been any previous proceeding with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of any party.

Or,

There have been the following, previous proceedings with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of the parties :

8. The marriage was solemnized at…………………/parties reside/parties last

resided together at…………………within the local limits of the Ordinary Original

Civil Jurisdiction of this Court.

9. The petitioner, therefore, prays that the marriage solemnized between the parties being full and void may be so declared by the Court by a decree of nullity.

Petitioner

Verification

The above-named petitioner states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to.-………-………of the petition are true to the best of the petitioner’s knowledge

and belief.

Verified at…………………(place)

Dated…………………

Petitioner

FORM NO. 6

In the District Court at…………………

………………………………………………………………………….-Petitioner

Versus

     ………………………………………………………………………………Respondent

Petition for the annulment of a marriage under Section 12 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (No.25 of 1955).

The petitioner prays as follows.

1. A marriage was solemnized between the parties on………………..

.at………………… A certified extract from the Hindu Marriage Register/an

affidavit duly attested is filed herewith.

2. The status and place of residence of the parties to the marriage before the marriage and at the time of filing the petition were as follows :

Husband                                                Wife

(vii)           Before marriage

(viii)          At the time of filing the petition

——————————————————————————————————

 [Whether a party is a Hindu by religion or not is a part of his or her status.]

3. [In this paragraph particulars and place(s) of cohabitation as!-husband and wife and the children from the marriage, if any, may be given. The date and place of birth and name and sex of each child and the fact whether alive or dead should also be stated.]

4. The respondent was impotent at the time of the marriage and continued to be so until the institution of these proceedings.

Or,

The respondent was an indiot/lunatic at the time of marriage.

Or,

The consent of the petitioner/guardian of the petitioner was obtained by force/fraud and the petition is presented within one year after the force has ceased to operate/fraud had been discovered and the petitioner has not, with his/her full consent, lived with the other party to the marriage as husband/wife after the force has ceased to operate/fraud had been discovered.

Or,

The respondent was at the time of the marriage pregnant by some person other than the petitioner and the petitioner was at the time of marriage ignorant of this fact and the proceedings have been instituted within one year from the date of the marriage and marital intercourse with the consents of the petitioner has not taken place since the discovery by the petitioner of the existence of respondent’s pregnancy by some person other than the petitioner.

(One or more than the above grounds may be pleaded and the portions which are not applicable should be scored out. Facts on which the claim to relief is founded should be stated as distinctly as the nature of the case permits. The matrimonial offence charged should be set in separate paragraphs with the time and place of their alleged commission).

5. The petition is not instituted in collusion with the respondent.

6. There has not been any unnecessary or improper delay in filling the petition.

7. There is no other legal ground why the relief should not be granted.

8. There has not been any previous proceedings with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of any party.

Or,

There have been the following previous proceedings with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of the parties

9. The marriage was solemnized at…………………/parties reside/parties

last resided together at ……………….within the local limits of the Ordinary

Original Civil Jurisdiction of this Court.

10. The petitioner, therefore, prays that the marriage between the parties being voidable may be annulled by the Court by a decree of nullity.

Petitioner

Verification

The above-named petitioner states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to …………………of the petition are true to the best of the petitioner’s information

and belief.

Verified at…………………(place)

Dated…………………

Petitioner

In the District Court at…………………

………………………………………………………………………….-Petitioner

Versus

     ………………………………………………………………………………Respondent

…………………………………………………………………………………..Co-Respondent

Petition for dissolution of marriage by a decree of divorce under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, ‘1955 (No.25 of 1955).

The petitioner prays as follows.

1. A marriage was solemnized between the parties on…………………

at…………………A certified extract from the Hindu Marriage Register/an

affidavit duly attested is filed herewith.

2. The status and place of residence of the parties to the marriage before and at the time of filing the petition were as follows :

Husband                                                Wife

(ix)             Before marriage

(x)                At the time of filing the petition

——————————————————————————————————

 [Whether a party is a Hindu by religion or not is a part of his or her status.]

3. [In this paragraph particulars and place(s) of cohabitation as husband and wife and the children from the marriage, jf any, may be given. The date and place of birth and name and sex of each child and the fact whether alive or dead should also be stated.]

4.The respondent…………………[One or more of the grounds specified in

Section 13 may be pleaded here. The facts on which the claim to relief is founded should be stated as distinctly as the nature of the case permits. If adultery is pleaded, the petitioner should give particulars as nearly as he can, of the acts of adultery alleged to have been committed. The matrimonial offences charged should be set out in separate paragraphs with the times and places of their alleged commission. If the ground specified in clause (mi) of Section 13 (1) is pleaded the petition should be accompanied by an affidavit to the petition to the effect that he or she has not resumed cohabitation for a period of one year or upwards since the passing of the decree for judicial separation.]

5.[Where the ground specified in clause (i) of sub-Section (1) of Section 13 the petitioner has not in any manner been accessory to or connived at or condoned the act(s) complained of.]

6. (Where the ground of petition is cruelty). The petitioner has not in any manner condoned the cruelty.

7. Any other ground mentioned in Section 13.

8.The petition is not presented in collusion with the respondent.

9. There has not been any unnecessary or improper delay in filing this-
petition.                                                         

10. There is no other legal ground why-the relief should not be granted.

11. There has not been any previous proceeding with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of any party.

Or,

There have been the following previous proceedings with regard to the marriage by or on behalf of the parties:

12. The marriage was solemnized/the husband and the wife reside/the husband and wife last resided together at………………..within the local limits

of the Ordinary, Original, Civil Jurisdiction of this Court.

13.The petitioner, therefore, prays that the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent may be dissolved by a decree of divorce.

Petitioner

Verification

The above-named petitioner states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to…………………of the petition are true to the best of the petitioner’s/

information and belief.

Verified at…………………(place)

Dated…………………

Petitioner

FORM NO. 8

In the District Court at…………………

Matrimonial and Divorce Jurisdiction Case No..

Date of Institution

………………………………………………                                      Applicant    

Versus

……………………………………………………………………………………Respondent

Application under Section 14 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (No.25 of

1955) praying that a petition of divorce may be allowed to be presented

before one year has elapsed since the date of marriage.

The applicant prays as under :

1. A marriage was solemnized between the parties on…………………

at…………………A certified extract from the Hindu Marriage Register/an

affidavit duly attested is filed herewith.

2.The status and place of residence of the parties to the marriage before and at the time of’ filing the petition were as follows.

Husband                                                Wife

(xi)             Before marriage

(xii)            At the time of filing the petition

——————————————————————————————————

3. In this paragraph particulars and place(s) of cohabitation between husband and wife and the children from the marriage, if any, may be given. The date and place of birth and name and sex of each child and the fact whether alive or dead should also be stated.]

4. This is a case of exceptional hardship to the petitioner/exceptional depravity on the part of the respondent (state as distinctly as the nature of the case permits the particulars about the exceptional hardship or depravity, as the case may be).

5. The marriage was solemnized/the husband and the wife reside/the husband and the wife last resided together at…………………within the local

limits of the Ordinary Original Civil Jurisdiction of this Court.

6. The applicant, therefore, prays that he/she may be allowed to present a petition for divorce before one year has elapsed since the date of marriage.

Applicant Verification

The above named applicant states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to …………………of the application are true to the best of applicant’s information

and belief.

Verified at…………………(place)

Dated…………………

Applicant

FORM NO. 9

In the District Court at…………………

…………………                                                                                                  Applicant

Versus

 …………………                                                                                                Respondent

Application for maintenance pendente lite and for expenses of proceedings under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (No.25 of 1955).

The applicant prays as follows.

1. A proceeding for…………………under Section …………………of the Hindu

Marriage Act, 1955 is pending between the parties in this Court. The particulars are as follows :

 No. and year           Names of                 Next date of                             Remarks

    Of the case             parties                       hearing        

2. The applicant owns no other movable or immovable property and has no other source of income except…………………(give particulars of the

petitioner’s property and income).

3. The applicant has no independent income sufficient for his/her support and the necessary expenses for the proceedings. No provision has been made by the respondent for the maintenance of the applicant.

4. The respondent has sources of income and owns property mentioned below.

…………………(give full particulars about respondent’s income and property).

5. The only person dependant upon the respondent is the applicant himself / herself or the applicant and…………………(give details of the liabilities, if any,

of the parties along with the details of dependants, if any, with the names, sex and ages of such dependants).

6..The applicant prays that the respondent should be ordered to pay a sum of Rs………………….as the applicant’s expenses of the proceedings and a

sum of Rs………………….monthly for applicant’s maintenance during the

proceedings.

Applicant

Verification

The above-named applicant states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to …………………of the application are true to the best of the applicant’s information

and belief.

Verified at…………………(place)

Dated…………………

Applicant

FORM No.10

In the District Court at…………………

……………………                                                                             Applicant

Versus

…………………                                                                                Respondent

Application for permanent alimony and maintenance under Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (No.25 of 1955).

The applicant prays as follows.

1. A proceeding between the parties for…………………under Section

…………………of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.is pending in/was decided by

this Court, particulars of which are given below.

2. The applicant owns no other movable or immovable property and has no other source of income except…………………(give full particulars about

applicant’s income and property). No provision has been made by the respondent for the maintenance of the applicant.

3. The respondent has sources of income and owns property mentioned below.

…………………(give full particulars about respondent’s income and

property).

4. The applicant has not remarried and has not been guilty of any conduct which disentitles him/her to receive maintenance from the respondent.

5. The applicant prays that the respondent should be ordered to pay a sum of Rs………………….as applicant’s expenses of the proceeding and a sum

of Rs………………….monthly for applicant’s maintenance during the

proceedings.

6. The applicant prays that having regard to the income of the parties and their conduct, and other circumstances of the case the respondent may be ordered to pay the applicant for his/her maintenance and support until death or remarriage a gross/monthly/periodical sum of Rs………………….and (score

‘out if not necessary) such payment may be secured by a charge on the immovable property of the respondent.

Applicant

Verification

The above-named applicant states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to…………………of the application are true to the best of the applicant’s

information and belief.

Verified at…………………(place)

Dated…………………

Applicant

FORM NO. 11

In the District Court at…………………

In the matter of :

………………………………………………………………..                                          Petitioner

Versus

 ……………………………………………………………….                                         Respondent

Petition for dissolution of marriage by a decree of divorce by mutual, consent, as provided under Section 13 (b) (1) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 as amended by the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976 (Act 48 of 1976). The petitioner and the respondent both pray as follows :

1. A marriage was solemnized between them (petitioner and respondent) at…………………on…………………according to Hindu rites, whose affidavits to

that effect are enclosed (or a certified copy of the extract from the Hindu Marriage Register is filed herewith).

2. The status and place of residence of the parties to the marriage, before
the marriage and at the time of filing the petition, were as follows.

Husband                                                Wife

(xiii)         Before marriage

(xiv)          At the time of filing the petition

 (Whether a party is a Hindu by religion or not is a part of nis or her status).

3. [In this paragraph particulars and place(s) of cohabitation as husband and wife and the children from the marriage, if any may be given. The date and place of birth and name and sex of each of child and the fact whether alive or dead should also be stated.]

4. The parties to the petition have been living separately since…………………and have not been able to live together since then.

5. The parties have mutually agreed that their marriage should be dissolved.

6. The consent has not been obtained by force, fraud or undne influence.

7. There has not been unnecessary or improper delay in the institution of the proceedings.

8. There is no other legal ground why the relief prayed for should not be granted.

9. There has not been any previous proceeding between the parties with regard to the marriage.

Or,

There has been following previous proceedings between the parties with regard to marriage:

Names of parties

Nature of proceedings with Section of the Act

Number and year of the case

Name and location of the Court

1.

2.

3.

4.

10. The marriage was solemnized at………………..The parties last resided

together at…………………The parties are now residing at…………………within

the local limits of the Ordinary Original Jurisdiction of this Court. This Court has jurisdiction to entertain this petition.

11. The parties, therefore, pray that the marriage between them may be dissolved by a decree of divorce.

Sd/- Petitioner

Sd/- Respondent

Verification

The above-named petitioner states on solemn affirmation that paras 1 to…………………of  the   petition  are   true   to   their   knowledge   and

paras…………………to…………………are true to their information received and

believed by them to be true.

 Verified at…………………(place).

Dated…………………

Sd/- Petitioner Sd/- Respondent

FORM NO. 12

In the Court of…………………at…………………

H.M. Misc. Petition No………………….of 20…………………

In the matter of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

………………………………………………………………..                                          Petitioner

Versus

 ……………………………………………………………….                                         Respondent

This petition came in on…………………for final hearing before this Court

in the presence of Shri…………………Advocate, for the petitioner and Shri

…………………Advocate, for the respondent, the Court being satisfied that

(here set out all or any of the grounds specified in Section 23 of the Act, as

the particulars case may require which the Court considers exist for granting

relief), it is ordered and decreed that (here give the description of the order).

Given under my hand and the seal of the Court this…………………day

…………………20…………………

SEAL District Judge.