Allowed

Smt Varsha Shishodia v. Sri Ravi Kumar Tanwar

Karnataka HC6 Apr 2026MFA/8615/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This Misc. First Appeal dismissed a divorce petition filed under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act. The High Court allowed the appeal and set aside the trial court decree, subject to the appellant depositing Rs. 50,000 costs and appearing within the stipulated time to file objections and lead evidence.

What did the court decide?

Impugned judgment and decree set aside subject to deposit of Rs. 50,000 by appellant; appellant permitted to file objection and lead evidence in family court.

Smt Varsha Shishodia Vs Sri Ravi Kumar Tanwar — Matrimonial and Divorce | Karnataka HC (2026)

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NC: 2026:KHC:18411-DB MFA No. 8615 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

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DATED THIS THE 6^TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026

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PRESENT

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI

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AND

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH RAI K

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MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO. 8615 OF 2025 (FC)

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BETWEEN:

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SMT VARSHA SHISHODIA D/O SRI SUKHBIR SINGH SISODIYA, AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, R/AT UNCHAN AMIRPUR (GHAZIABAD), UTTAR PRADESH - 201 008

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…APPELLANT

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(BY SRI. G BALAJI NAIDU.,ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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Digitally signed by PANKAJA S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

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SRI RAVI KUMAR TANWAR S/O SMT. LATHA DEVI, AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, R/AT NO. 47, JINDAL NAGAR, JINDAL NATURE CURE INSTITUTE, NAGASANDRA, BENGALURU NORTH, KARNATAKA - 560 073.

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…RESPONDENT

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(BY SRI. .,ADVOCATE)

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THIS MFA IS FILED U/S.19(1) OF FAMILY COURT ACT, AGAINST THE JUDGMENT AND DECREE DT.10.10.2025 PASSED IN MC NO. 4148/2024 ON THE FILE OF THE COURT OF THE PRL JUDGE, FAMILY COURT, BENGALURU, DISMISSING THE

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2 - NC: 2026:KHC:18411-DB MFA No. 8615 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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PETITION FILED U/S 13(1)(i) OF THE HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955.

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THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER:

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH RAI K

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ORAL JUDGMENT

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(PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT BANERJI)

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Heard the learned counsel for the appellant. The

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respondent has been served, but is unrepresented.

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The Trial Court record is available, which has been perused by us.

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A petition for divorce was filed by the respondent herein under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (for short "H.M. Act").

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It is admitted by the counsel for the appellant that

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the appellant had stayed with the respondent for only 27 days and thereafter the petition for divorce was filed, as the

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3 - NC: 2026:KHC:18411-DB MFA No. 8615 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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appellant had returned to her native place in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, after that period of time.

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Ex.P1 is the wedding card of the parties. Ex.P2 are

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the wedding photographs, which show the elaborate wedding of the parties.

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The order sheet reflects that an application under Section 14 of the H.M. Act was filed by the respondent herein, as the petition was filed within one year after marriage. The order sheet also reflects that notice was issued to the appellant through the Court as well as the RPAD, returnable by 01.10.2024. Notice was issued. However, notice through Court was not issued for want of petition copy.

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The order sheet dated 01.10.2024 reflects that Sri. MVS undertook to appear for the appellant by 13.11.2024. On the left side of that order, Sri. Shashidhar M.V., has signed as advocate for the respondent-appellant herein, having enrollment number KAR/205/2011. On the next date of listing i.e., 13.11.2024, no vakalath was filed. On 17.12.2024, no

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4 - NC: 2026:KHC:18411-DB MFA No. 8615 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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vakalath was filed, though the advocate for appellant herein sought time.

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On 20.01.2025, the appellant was present and

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Sri. SKP advocate filed vakalath for the appellant with I.A.No.3 under Section 13 of the Family Courts Act, which was allowed and the appellant was permitted to engage the counsel and the

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objection was permitted to be filed to the main petition. Thereafter, objections were never filed and the appellant did not appear. On 19.08.2025, the cross-examination of PW.1 was taken as nil. The counsel for the appellant last appeared on 30.08.2025. Though no objection to the petition was filed, he sought time. Thereafter, for evidence of the appellant, the case was listed on 19.09.2025. On 19.09.2025, there was no representation for the appellant and hence, the appellant's evidence was taken as nil.

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On the next date was fixed for arguments, there were no representation or presence of either of the parties. Therefore, arguments were taken as not addressed. Thereafter, the impugned judgment was passed on 10.10.2025.

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5 - NC: 2026:KHC:18411-DB MFA No. 8615 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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In our considered opinion, though the appellant could not avail of the right to cross-examine the PW.1 or to file objections, but the same cannot be attributed to the non-communication of the developments by her counsel to her. Even the learned counsel for the appellant has not been able to demonstrate otherwise. Therefore, since there is evidence of the appellant for not appearing before the Family Court without due reason, costs may be imposed on the appellant while permitting her to lead evidence and file her objection.

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The appeal is therefore allowed . The impugned

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judgment and decree dated 10.10.2025 is set aside subject to the appellant depositing a sum of Rs.50,000/- on or before 24.04.2026. This amount will be deposited by the appellant before the Family Court. It is clarified that on failure to deposit the amount of cost, as mentioned, the appeal would be dismissed. If the amount is so deposited, notice be issued to the respondent-husband. The appellant shall be permitted to file her objection within 10 days of the deposit of the amount and shall be permitted to lead her evidence. The amount of

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NC: 2026:KHC:18411-DB MFA No. 8615 of 2025

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HC-KAR

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cost deposited shall be paid to the respondent-husband on his

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appearance before the Trial Court.

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SD/(JAYANT BANERJI) JUDGE

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SD/(RAJESH RAI K) JUDGE

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HKV List No.: 2 Sl No.: 16

Smt Varsha Shishodia v. Sri Ravi Kumar Tanwar

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Smt Varsha Shishodia v. Sri Ravi Kumar Tanwar

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

A compact analysis

Issues for consideration

Statutes considered

Parties & counsel

Coram

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