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(Guest)

Which is the right Jurisdicion for the parties?

Ld. Members,

I have come across a very typical case during private counceling and need clarifications from ld. members of LCI based on following briefs;

Que.: What is right jurisdiction of Courts ?

Brief:-

1.  Indian PIO couples (Hindu) got married in Canada. Honeymoon in Cananda / North America. They both have Canadian Passports.
2. Two teen kids out of wedlock and both kids have Canadian nationality (Passport).
3. Couple living in North West Delhi post marriage.
4. Both kids (male 10 n female 13 yrs) studying in boarding school in Mussoorie.
5. Wife's mother and 3 siters living in Canada and have Canadian nationality.
6. Husband's mother and sister / brother living in Delhi and are Indian national
7. Husband is in later half of 40's and wife in early 40's.

recently some irretrivable issues between couples emerged and one couple wants to initiate Divorce / Custody suits against the other.

My opinion is that Indian Courts have no jurisdiction in above question of Law !

Kindly correct me or educate me in above Jurisdiction situation to set the Jurisdiction for expediently moving a Divorce suit based on appropriate Jurisdiction of Court.

Rgds.



Learning

 12 Replies


(Guest)

Addendum

8. Both children were even born in Canada.

Shonee Kapoor (Legal Evangelist - TRIPAKSHA)     11 May 2010

Does Indian Courts have jurisdiction:

In what capacity they are staying in India? Visitor VISA? If so, Indian Court can not acquire jurisdiction.

 

N.K.Assumi (Advocate)     11 May 2010

Dear Dr.Arun, your query is not for child custody but matrimonial dispute between the spouses. Now under the circumstances which countries that is Canada or Delhi has the closet concern with the well being of the spouces is the line I am taking up in your query? The modern theory of conflicts of law recognises and, in any event, prefers the Jurisdiction of the State which has the most intimate contact with the issue arising in the Case. Jurisdiction can not be set up only by assumption as that will encourage forum shopping rather it should be on functional lines that is the law of the place that has the closet concern and the well being for the spouses, and in the present case the court in Delh will have jurisdiction. The reasons being that the marriage was as per Hindu law though solemnized in Canada and they are residing in Delhi after marriage and hence Jurisdiction will be that of Delhi. But Dr.this is my personal views only, so lets wait what other members have to say on this important and interesting query.

R.R. KRISHNAA (Legal Manager)     11 May 2010

Dear Mr. Arun Kumar

 

The facts of the case presented by you is very similar to the case I have attached herewith.

 

Best regards,

 


Attached File : 19 19 leeladhar kachroo vs umang bhat kachroo on 8 june 2005.pdf downloaded: 215 times
1 Like

(Guest)

Sh Shonee,
Kindly note they are PIO and if you recall there is a live case in GGN where a American Father is fighting  for his son's custody and interesting part is Son is a American passport holder and case is in DDN Court whereas in this quoted case mother is daughter of retired ASJ of Ranchi Court and residing with child in Ranchi. American father is ordinarily resident of DDN jurisdiction post returnign back form USA but now gainfully employed in GGN.

Sh. Assumi ji,
You guesed right it is not related to child custody as mothe ris certified BPD and under psychiatrist care and under medication. Children have been sent to Boarding school for harmony reason. I fully understand the Commity of Law and have read few reasoning of Apex court but all of them point to foreign courts havign jurisdiction in such situation (bear it that if a case is file din Indian shores then the question of Commity of Law appears and not the other way round - right na). I would be at this stage more intereste din understanding the word phrase "OR" mentioned in S. 19 HMA including last Amendment. If ld. members can
can through light on interpretation of word "OR" appearing in S. 19 HMA then nothing like it for self understanding and your kind self rightly pointed to wait for other ld. members comment on this issue.
Rgds.

Shonee Kapoor (Legal Evangelist - TRIPAKSHA)     11 May 2010

Dr. Sa'ab,


One essential diffirence in both the cases, in the case where the Mom is locked in custody battle with American husband. The apex court is deciding jurisdiction, where one of the parents is Indian.


Here both parties are PIO. That is why I asked which VISA they are on. Just because they are in India on vacation does not mean that Indian courts would acquire jurisdiction to dissolve the marriage.


Regards,

Shonee Kapoor


(Guest)

Sh. Shoone ji,
That is the mute point here which I want clarification for my own understanding.
I said so in my first mail too that Indian Courts have no Jurisdiction but then Sh. Assumi ji pointed to pecuniary aspect of law - "modern theory of conflicts of law" so I am waiting for more clarity on this aspect to help the couple resolve their issues and inturn let the children get security / their welfare in future too is my main interest here.
However, thank you, Sh. Assumi ji  n Sh. Krishnaa for colly. inputs.
Rgds.

N.K.Assumi (Advocate)     11 May 2010

Dear Dr.Arun, I can humbly say that your query is suffocating query.

1 Like

(Guest)

he he he.....
Sh Assumi ji "when point of law is questioned a person tries to wriggle his/her way out somehow is my immature belief" and believe me after a very long time I enjoyed a good laugh reading to your above humble pointer.
I close this query and throw in a "AXE spray refreshing breather now"
:-))))))))))
Enjoy your evening Sir.
With rgds.

N.K.Assumi (Advocate)     11 May 2010

Same here.

Arup (UNEMPLOYED)     14 May 2010

Arun ji, 

If your marriage perfomed at Canada under Hindu rituals like, Saptapadi; Exchange of garlands etc., then the marriage attracts The Hindu Marriage Act, and as on the principals of last residence, the Delhi court has the jurisdiction.

If the marriage performed at Canada under any marriage act of Canada, then if you both agrees, Delhi court may try it.

If you feel Delhi court has no jurisdiction to try it, you may take objection under cpc. A court can not try a case without jurisdiction. But you have to raise objection at the trial court only. Higher court will not here this objection. Please check sec 9 to 24 for the purpose of jurisdiction. Thanks.

Arup (UNEMPLOYED)     20 May 2010

Please check sec 9 to 24 of cpc for the purpose of jurisdiction. Thanks.


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