Neetu Verma v. Inderjeet Mehta
Transfer of matrimonial proceedings – Convenience of wife not a thumb rule
Case brief
What is this about?
Punjab and Haryana High Court, TA-95-2025, decided 21.08.2025 by Archana Puri, J.: wife's transfer application seeking shift of husband's Section 13 HMA divorce petition (HMA/31/2024) from Family Court, Fatehabad to Bhiwani dismissed; convenience-of-wife principle held not to be a thumb rule; applicant found residing at Tohana (two addresses in memorandum of parties; statement in cross-examination in CS/311/2024); related proceedings MNT-125/28/2024 (S.125 Cr.P.C.) and COMA/18/2024 (S.12 DV Act) already pending at Bhiwani with respondent appearing; distances Tohana-Fatehabad approx. 50 km, Bhiwani-Tohana approx. 100 km; application held mala fide and dismissed.
What did the court decide?
While courts generally lean towards the convenience of the wife in transfer applications arising out of matrimonial disputes, this is not a thumb rule; the other circumstances spelt out from the material brought on record in each case must be taken into consideration.