The High Court dismissed revisions challenging a lump sum compensation order but noted reasons on the nature of the domestic relationship and evidence appreciation without altering the final outcome.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
// Signature Not Verified Signed By:RAM DATT Signing Date:03.10.2024 16:35 Certify that the digital and physical file have been compared and the digital data is as per the physical file an d no page is missing.
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dated 27' March, 2012 noting that the onus was on the complainant to prove that she was legally married to the respondent or both of them were qualified to enter into a legal marriage or were unmarried at the time of marriage. Further no evidence was led to prove that they resided in the rented accommodation for a couple of years as husband and wife in the form of either rent agreement or by examining any witness of the locality. The only document filed by the complainant to prove the marital relationship was the medical document of the hospital which has allegedly been signed by Ramanand Amit as her husband and the complainant was not competent to prove the signatures of Ramanand Amit on the said document. However, the interim maintenance and monthly rent of the accommodation was not directed to be refunded.
CRL.REVP. Nos. 166/2013 275/2013 page 2 of 4
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"14. Appellant in the present case, has placed on record overwhelming evidence, which has remained totally unimpeached. She placed on record several photographs, which are posed by the parties at several places and time including at the time_ of cutting of anniversary cake. Coupled_ with this, is the fact that respondent filed pre-admission form (Ex.CWl/16) in his own handwriting and signed consent form (Ex.CWl/15) . as a husband at the time of admission of the appellant in the ^odi hospital. There is report of Protection Officer on record m her affidavit, appellant has categorically deposed that she was living with respondent at 87/2, Jamroodpur, Greater Kailash-I, New Delhi since 11.11.2005 to March 2008. Admittedly, the testimony of appellant has remained unchallenged as respondent failed to cross examine her despite numerous opportunities granted to him in this regard. Why then, her rebutted testimony should be discarded?
When the evidence adduced by appellant is considered as a whole it is obvious that, respondent and appellant represented themselves as husband and wife before the society. Documents placed on record by the appellant have remained unrebutted by the respondent and these documents stand proved. No suggestion has been given on behalf of respondent to the appellant that averments made by her are false in any manner. It is true, that only photographs may not be substantive proof of the fact that appellant and respondent are wife and husband. Court has to consider evidence in its entirety. In the present case, there is not only un-shattered and un-impeached testimony of appellant, but also several documents on record, e.g. photographs, medical record and also FIR No. 118/08' u/s 420/376/406IPC and the only reasonable conclusion which can be drawn, is that appellant and respondent voluntarily co habited and presented themselves out to the world as like
CRL.REV.P. Nos. 166/2013 & 275/2013 page 3 of 4
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spouse for a significant period of time. Material on record shows that it is not a solitary incident but relationship in the nature of marriage between them, continued for more than two years, since 11.11.2005, when so called drama of marriage with appellant was performed by respondent. This Court finds that learned Trial Court committed error in not properly appreciating the evidence On record and ignoring un-rebutted testimony of appellant. Thus, evidence on record establishes that parties were in a relationship in the nature of marriage and that appellant was a victim of domestic violence and thus, she required protection. Therefore, impugned order deserves to be set aside and recalled. "
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■5. The finding of the learned Trial Court that the testimony of Ruhi . Ramanand has gone unchallenged for the reason that despite opportunities Ramanand Amit failed to cross-examine her is not erroneous. Further, the learned Appellate Court rightly took into consideration the fact that the carry home-salary of Ramanand Arriit was about ^30,000/- whereas that of Ruhi Ramanand was ?7,500/- and Ramanand Amit had to look after a family which comprises of his wife and four daughters. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the order passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge granting a lump sum compensation of ?2 lakhs cannot be said to be illegal or perverse warranting interference. Hence, CRL.REV.P. 275/2013 & Crl.M.A. 5788/2013 are dismissed.
MUKTA GUPTA, J.
JANUARY 12, 2017 'ga'
CRL.REVP. Nos. 166/2013 iSi 275/2013
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3 issues framed by the court
Whether the High Court was correct in dismissing the revision petition against the lump sum compensation directed to be paid.
Whether the Appellate Court committed error in appreciating the evidence regarding the domestic relationship despite lack of formal marriage proof.
Whether the award of lump sum compensation was legal, illegal, or perverse warranting interference.
2 provisions across 1 enactments
Ruhi Ramanand
Ramanand Amit
MUKTA GUPTA
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
