The matter pertained to a matrimonial dispute where the appellant woman had married the respondent in 2006 and obtained a divorce decree on the grounds of cruelty in 2016. The bench noted that in December 2019, the Allahabad High Court reinstated the appellant’s petition under Section 125 CrPC and instructed the family court to adjudicate it in accordance with the law.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (Dec 17) observed that a synopsis cannot extend to 128 pages and urged its registrar (judicial) to take note, particularly in cases where litigants represent themselves.
A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah made the remarks while hearing a plea challenging an Allahabad High Court order. The appellant, appearing in person, had submitted a 128-page synopsis filled with excessive and largely irrelevant details.
“We understand that the appellant is not a trained lawyer, but the registry should have asked her to condense the synopsis. A synopsis cannot run into 128 pages,”
the bench said.
It also directed the registrar (judicial) to address such issues, especially in cases involving self-represented litigants.
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BRIEF FACTS
The matter pertained to a matrimonial dispute where the appellant woman had married the respondent in 2006 and obtained a divorce decree on the grounds of cruelty in 2016. The bench noted that in December 2019, the Allahabad High Court reinstated the appellant’s petition under Section 125 CrPC and instructed the family court to adjudicate it in accordance with the law.
Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code mandates maintenance for wives, children, and parents. The Supreme Court highlighted that the High Court’s order required the Agra family court to decide the case afresh after it was previously dismissed for non-prosecution.
Section 144 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) outlines provisions for the maintenance of wives, children, and parents. It mandates that individuals with sufficient means must provide support if they neglect or refuse to maintain their dependents. Previously, this provision was governed by Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
Finding no grounds to interfere, the bench remarked,
“The order benefits the appellant and merely directs the family court to decide the matter on its merits.” Consequently, the appeal was dismissed.
