Sonali ji,
You need to consult the lawyer...or change the lawyer before any mess-up happens....other party may try to woo your lawyer also so that your case gets weak.
The other party probably wants to win RCR and then it becomes an easy ground for divorce after 1 year.
In RCR suit..."the burden of proving the reasons" on you ......as to...... why the respondent(i.e. you) had to leave the company of the petitioner............
Hence do go for mediation procedures...if you fail to attend it...adverse image gets created about you......
You may say that you shouldn't be forced to join the company of the husband...unless your apprehensions in your mind are resolved and you do fear going back......as there were was the past experience........ but that does not necessarily be construed as desertion by you...but it is the husband who made you leave matrimonial house and he playing faul (He is taking advantage of his own wrongs)...you shouldn't also be forced to "counter-claim" for divorce..because you are not able to carry the stigma of divorce and it would be detrimental to child's welfare and upbringing....
Bring to the notice of the hon jdge that...covert agenda is to press for MCD settlement under the disguise of RCR.
It looks..................... from your side only the delay has happned in pursuing the case...Remember you are a respondent.
If a wife expresses that she had a fear for life....and that's why she had to leave the husband....Courts would not force her to join back husband......................or Courts also can not help husbands to create any new easy grounds to husbands...
Judiciary has a stake in the sustenance institution of marriage......
But it all needs to be proved by your conduct and proofs.
Maint is decided on merits as to reasonable needs vs wants and capability to pay by husband.....
If Petitioner-husband (victim) resisting to reasonable needs of wife in divorce.... is different than that in RCR...
If RCR is filed then he is cared for wife.....but can he deny reasonable needs of wife? then it is a crocodile tears of husband/drama by husband .....it is construed that husband doesn't care or sensitive to wife's and kid's reasonable needs...and putting her on ranson...either come back or face starvation!!!! This not a sign of love and care.....
You can withstand RCR but you need to present your case appropriately....and with a honest lawyer.
(RCR is/was really not meant for husbands)