* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Date of decision: 15.05.2018
+ REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013, 347/2013, 484/2014,
584/2014, 648/2014, 48/2016, 483/2016, 484/2016, 1147/2016,
1116/2016, 1251/2016, 78/2017, 132/2017, 197/2017, 204/2017,
216/2017 and 270/2017
IN THE MATTER OF:
RAJAT GUPTA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013
MANPREET SINGH BHATIA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 347/2013
DEEPAK BATRA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 484/2014
KAMAL GODWANI ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 584/2014
DR. ARUN SHARMA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 648/2014
MANVINDER KAUR ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 48/2016
W CDR SITANSHU SINHA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 483/2016
WG CDR SITANSHU SINHA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 484/2016
NAVEEN KUMAR JAIN ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 1147/2016
AMRITA KAUR SAXENA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 1116/2016
VIKAS SHARMA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 1251/2016
SEETANGELI BHUTANI ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 78/2017
MANVEEN KAUR ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 132/2017
MANJUL TANEJA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 197/2017
DEEPA ….. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 204/2017
MITHUN RADHAKRISHNAN…. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 216/2017
AMARJEET SINGH …. Petitioner in CONT.CAS(C) 270/2017
Through: Mr. Brij Bhushan Gupta, Senior
Advocate (Amicus Curiae) with Mr. Jai Sahai
Endlaw, Advocate
Mr. Prashant Mendiratta, Advocate with petitioner
in person in CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013.
Mr. Koplin K. Kandhari Mr. S.C. Duggal,
Advocates in CONT.CAS(C) 347/2013.
Mr. F.K. Jha Mr. S. A. Singh, Advocates in
CONT.CAS(C) 584/2014.
Mr. Sunil Mittal, Senior Advocate with Mr. Dhruv
Grover and Ms. Seema Seth, Advocates in
CONT.CAS(C) 648/2014.
REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 1 of 64
Mr. Ashish Virmani and Ms. Paridhi Dixit,
Advocates in CONT.CAS(C) 483-484/2016.
Mr. C. Rajaram and Ms. T. Kanniappan,
Advocates in CONT.CAS(C) 1147/2016.
Ms. Chandrani Prasad, Mr. Chirag Mahalwal and
Mr. Sugam Kr. Jha, Advocates in CONT.CAS(C)
78/2017.
Mr. Neeraj K. Sharma and Ms. Nidhi Agarwal,
Advocates in CONT.CAS(C) 216/2017.
versus
RUPALI GUPTA ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013
SMT SUMITA BHATIA ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 347/2013
SWATI BATRA ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 484/2014
ANNU BHARTI ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 584/2014
POOJA SHARMA ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 648/2014
BIKRAMJEET SINGH SOKHI AND ANR.
….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 48/2016
PRACHI SINGH alias PRACHI SINHA
….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 483/2016
PRACHI SINGH alias PRACHI SINHA
….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 484/2016
INDU JAIN …..Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 1147/2016
GAURAV SAXENA …..Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 1116/2016
SHALINI CHHABRA …..Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 1251/2016
AJAY BHUTANI ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 78/2017
NIPUR KAPUR ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 132/2017
SUMAN BASWAL ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 197/2017
KAMAL SINGH ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 204/2017
AASTHA SAHDEV ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 216/2017
GEETANJALI ….. Respondent in CONT.CAS(C) 270/2017
Through: Ms. S. Chaudhary and Ms. Aarzoo Aneja,
Advocates in CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013.
Mr. Rajat Aneja and Ms. Chandrika Gupta,
Advocates in CONT.CAS(C) 347/2013.
Ms. Renu Verma, Adv.in CONT.CAS(C) 484/2014
REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 2 of 64
Mr. Prashant Mendiratta, Adv. in CONT.CAS(C)
648/2014.
Ms. Sunieta Ojha, Advocate in CONT.CAS(C)
483-484/2016.
Mr. Ashisht Bhagat and Mr. Akhil Suri, Advocates
in CONT.CAS(C) 78/2017.
Mr. Vivek Singh and Mr. Randhir Kumar, Advs. in
CONT.CAS(C) 197/2017.
Respondent in person in CONT.CAS(C) 270/2017.
CORAM:
HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE HIMA KOHLI
HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE DEEPA SHARMA
HIMA KOHLI, J.
1. These matters have been placed before this Bench by Hon‟ble the
Acting Chief Justice in terms of an order dated 09.01.2017, passed by a
learned Single Judge of this Court in the captioned contempt petitions
wherein the following four questions of law have been framed for
consideration:-
―A) Whether a party, which has under a settlement agreement
decreed by a Court undertaken to file a petition under Section
13B(1) or a motion under Section 13B(2) of the Act, 1955 or
both and has also undertaken to appear before the said Court
for obtaining divorce ―can be held liable for contempt‖, if the
said party fails to file or appear in the petition or motion or
both to obtain divorce in view of the option to
reconsider/renege the decision of taking divorce by mutual
consent under Section 13B(2) of the Act?
B) Whether by undertaking before a Court to file a second
motion under Section 13B(2) of the Act, 1955 at Section 13B(1)
stage or by giving an undertaking to a Court to that effect in a
separate court proceeding, a party waives its right toREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 3 of 64
rethink/renege under 13B(2) of the Act, 1955? If yes, whether
such right can be waived by a party under Section 13B(2) of the
Act, 1955?
C) Whether any guidelines are required to be followed by the
Court while recording the undertaking/agreement of the parties
with respect to a petition under Section 13B(1) or a motion
under Section 13B(2) of the Act, 1955 or both for obtaining
divorce?
D) Whether the judgment in Avneesh Sood (supra) and Shikha
Bhatia (supra) are good law in view of the doubts expressed by
this Court in paras 19 to 28 and in view of the Division Bench
judgment in Dinesh Gulati (supra).‖
2. We may clarify that the reference made to the three decisions referred
to in para (D) above, is as follows:-
(i) CONT.CAS(C) 559/ 2011 entitled Avneesh Sood Vs. Tithi
Sood decided on 30.04.2012 reported as 2012 SCC Online
2445.
(ii) Shikha Bhatia Vs. Gaurav Bhatia Ors. reported as 178 (2011)
DLT 128.
(iii) MAT. APP. (F.C.) 70/2016 entitled Dinesh Gulati Vs. Ranjana
Gulati decided on 02.08.2016.
FACTUAL MATRIX
3. The backdrop in which the reference has been made by the learned
Single Judge on the four questions of law extracted above, is that a batch of
contempt petitions were placed before the said Court, alleging inter alia
willful disobedience of the undertaking given by a spouse to appear, sign and
file, both, the Section 13B(1) petition and the Section 13(B)(2) motion under
REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 4 of 64
the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (in short „the Act‟). The undertakings given
by the spouses were accepted by the Court either at the stage of filing the
Section 13B(1) petition or were incorporated in a consent decree. It was
noted that except in CONT.CAS(C) 1147/2016 and 1251/2016, the
undertakings in all the remaining cases, as furnished to the concerned courts
and duly accepted, were against consideration. Following is a tabulated
statement of the factual status of each case in these batch of petitions:-
Sr. Case No. Who is the Was there a Did the Stage of
No. petitioner? mutual settlement parties file a filing of
(Husband seeking divorce by First contempt, is
or Wife) consent? Motion? it before
First motion
or after first
motion?
1 Cont. Husband Yes. Joint statement Yes. First After First
CAS(C) dated 16.10.2012 Motion Motion and
772/13- Rajat recorded in a allowed vide before
Gupta vs petition u/S 13(1)(i- order dated Second
Rupali Gupta a) of HMA Act. 03.11.2012 motion.
– In Court.
2 Cont. CAS (C) Husband Yes. MOU dated Yes. First After First
347/2013- 08.11.2012. Motion Motion and
Manpreet – Outside Court allowed vide before
Singh Bhatia order dated Second
v. Smt Sumita 08.11.2012 motion.
Bhatia
3 Cont. Cas (C) Husband Yes. Settlement After First After First
484/14 recorded by motion was motion was
Deepak Batra Mediation Centre, moved, then moved.
Vs. Swati Saket on it was
Batra 17.10.2013. withdrawn
– In Court vide order
dated
05.05.2014.
4 Cont. CAS (C) Husband Yes. Settlement Yes. First After First
584/2014- recorded by motion motion
Kamal Mediation Centre, allowed vide before
REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 5 of 64
Godwani v. KKD on order dated second
Annu Bharti 18.12.2012. 01.08.2013. motion.
– In Court.
5. Cont. Husband Yes. Joint statement No. First Before First
CAS(C) of settlement Motion was motion.
648/14- Dr. recorded on not signed by
Arun Sharma 01.12.2012 before wife.
vs. Pooja Family Court,
Sharma Patiala House.
– In Court.
6 Cont. Wife Yes. Settlement No. First Before First
CAS(C) recorded by Motion was motion.
48/16- Mediation Centre not signed.
Manvinder dated 29.05.2015.
Kaur vs. – In Court.
Bikramjit
Singh Sokhi
and Anr.
7. Cont. CAS (C) Husband Yes- Settlement Yes. After First
483/2016 W Agreement dated First Motion motion,
CDR Sitanshu 05.05.2015. was allowed before
Sinha vs. – Outside Court vide order Second
Prachi Singh dated motion
@ Prachi 01.06.2015.
Sinha
8. Cont. CAS (C) Husband Yes- Settlement Yes. After First
484/2016 WG Agreement dated First Motion motion,
CDR Sitanshu 05.05.2015. was allowed before
Sinha vs. – Outside Court vide order Second
Prachi Singh dated motion
@ Prachi 01.06.2015.
Sinha
9. Cont Cas (C) Husband Yes. Settlement Yes. First After First
1147/16 Deed dated Motion Motion and
Naveen 26.05.2015 allowed vide before
Kumar Jain – Outside Court order dated Second
Vs. Indu Jain 06.06.2015. motion.
10 Cont. Wife Yes. MOU dated Yes. First After First
CAS(C) 12.02.2015. Motion motion
1116/16- – Outside Court allowed vide before
Amrita Kaur order dated Second
Saxena vs. 24.03.2015. motion.
REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 6 of 64
Gaurav
Saxena
11 Cont. Husband Yes. Memorandum Yes. First After First
CAS(C) of Understanding Motion motion
1251/2016- dated 24.09.2015. allowed vide before
Vikas Sharma – Outside Court order dated Second
vs. Shalini 22.02.2016. motion.
Chhabra
12 Cont. Wife Yes. MOU dated Yes. First After First
CAS(C) 02.04.2015. Motion Motion and
78/2017- – Outside Court allowed vide before
Seetangeli order dated Second
Bhutani vs. 20.05.2016. motion.
Ajay Bhutani
13 Cont. Wife Yes- Joint Yes. First After First
CAS(C) statement dated Motion Motion and
132/2017- 16.09.2015 recorded allowed vide before
Smt. in First Motion order dated Second
Manveen petition. 16.09.2015 motion.
Kaur vs. – In Court.
Nipun Kapur
14 Cont. Husband Yes. Memorandum Yes. First After First
CAS(C) of Settlement dated Motion motion and
197/2017- 01.09.2016 recorded allowed vide before
Manjul by Counselor, order dated Second
Taneja vs. Family Court. 02.09.2016. motion.
Suman – In Court
Baswal
15 Cont.CAS (C) Wife Yes. Settlement Yes, First After First
204/17 Agreement dated Motion motion
26.03.2014 recorded allowed vide before
by Mediation order dated second
Deepa Vs. Centre. 06.12.2014. motion.
Kamal Singh – In Court.
16 Cont. CAS(C) Husband Yes. Memorandum Yes. First After First
216/2017- of Settlement dated Motion motion
Mithun 30.04.2015. allowed vide before
Radhakrishnan – Outside Court order dated Second
vs. Aastha 02.05.2015. motion.
Sahdev
REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 7 of 64
17 Cont. Husband Yes. MOU dated Yes. First After First
CAS(C) 02.02.2016 in Motion motion
270/17- Mediation Centre. allowed vide before
Amarjeet – In Court order dated Second
Singh vs. 07.04.2016. motion.
Geetanjali
4. Confronted with the differing stands taken by both sides where on the
one hand, learned counsels for the petitioners had urged that contempt is
attracted for breach of the undertaking accepted by the court to file a Section
13B(1) petition as well as a Second motion under Section 13B(2) of the Act
for divorce and it should be treated as a willful breach of the undertaking
given to the court, and on the other hand, the stand of the learned counsels
for the respondents was that refusal on the part of a spouse to join/give
consent for recording a statement under Section 13B(2) of the Act, for the
Family Court to pass a decree of divorce based on mutual consent, as
contemplated under Section 13B of the Act, cannot constitute contempt and
the court does not have the jurisdiction to go into the bonafides or
reasonableness of the withdrawal of the consent, the learned Single Judge
had examined the provisions of Section 13B of the Act and the judicial
precedents cited by both sides and noticed that two learned Single Judges of
this Court in the cases of Shikha Bhatia (supra) and Avneesh Sood (supra),
had opined that a spouse, who gives an undertaking to the court to abide by
the consent given in the First motion for dissolution of marriage under
Section 13B(1) of the Act and for moving a Second motion petition, cannot
be permitted to resile from such an undertaking on the basis of an agreement
arrived at between the parties and any attempt to resile therefrom would
REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 8 of 64
amount to a breach of the undertaking accepted by the court and therefore,
attract contempt proceedings.
5. The decision of the Division Bench of this Court in the case of Dinesh
Gulati (supra) was also brought the notice of the learned Single Judge,
wherein recourse to contempt proceedings against the respondent/wife by the
appellant/husband on a grievance that despite a mutual consent recorded
before the Family Court to dissolve their marriage, the wife was not
cooperating with the husband, was questioned and further, suo moto
contempt proceedings initiated by the learned Family Court against the
husband for non-compliance of the consent order and joint statement
recorded by the parties earlier thereto, were quashed. The Division Bench
held that such an order of initiating suo moto contempt proceedings neglects
the mutuality aspect provided for under Section 13B of the Act and once the
parties were unable to or did not wish to proceed with the agreement for
mutual consent divorce, then the only recourse was to restore the original
divorce petition. Counsels for some of the petitioners had urged that that the
decision in the case of Dinesh Gulati (supra) is per incuriam as it has not
taken note of the judgments of the learned Single Judges in the cases of
Shikha Bhatia (supra) and Avneesh Sood (supra),
6. Recording the submissions of the learned counsels for the parties, the
learned Single Judge expressed a view that the Division Bench had taken a
diametrically different view in the case of Dinesh Gulati (supra) vis-à-vis
that expressed by the two learned Single Judges of this Court in the cases of
Shikha Bhatia (supra) and Avneesh Sood (supra) and accordingly proceeded
to frame four questions of law extracted above, inviting a decision by a
REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 9 of 64
Division Bench. It is in the aforesaid factual background that these matters
have been placed before this Bench.
RELEVANT STATUTORY PROVISIONS
7. The relevant provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 are extracted below:-
―THE HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955
Section 13B Divorce by mutual consent. —
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act a petition for dissolution
of marriage by a decree of divorce may be presented to the
district court by both the parties to a marriage together,
whether such marriage was solemnised before or after the
commencement of the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976
(68 of 1976), on the ground that they have been living
separately for a period of one year or more, that they have not
been able to live together and that they have mutually agreed
that the marriage should be dissolved.
(2) On the motion of both the parties made not earlier than six
months after the date of the presentation of the petition referred
to in sub-section (1) and not later than eighteen months after
the said date, if the petition is not withdrawn in the meantime,
the court shall, on being satisfied, after hearing the parties and
after making such inquiry as it thinks fit, that a marriage has
been solemnised and that the averments in the petition are true,
pass a decree of divorce declaring the marriage to be dissolved
with effect from the date of the decree.
XXX XXX XXX
23 Decree in proceedings .–
(1) In any proceeding under this Act, whether defended or not,
if the court is satisfied that–
(a) XXX XXX XXX
(b) XXX XXX XXXREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 10 of 64
[(bb) when a divorce is sought on the ground of mutual
consent, such consent has not been obtained by force, fraud or
undue influence, and](c) XXX XXX XXX
(d) XXX XXX XXX
(e) XXX XXX XXX
(2) Before proceeding to grant any relief under this Act, it shall
be the duty of the court in the first instance, in every case where
it is possible so to do consistently with the nature and
circumstances of the case, to make every endeavour to bring
about a reconciliation between the parties:
[Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall apply
to any proceeding wherein relief is sought on any of the
grounds specified in clause (ii), clause (iii), clause (iv), clause(v), clause (vi) or clause (vii) of sub-section (1) of section 13.]
XXX XXX XXXCONTEMPT OF COURTS ACT, 1971
2. Definitions - In this Act, unless the context otherwise
requires, -(a) XXX XXX XXX
(b) ―civil contempt‖ means wilful disobedience to any
judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a
court or wilful breach of an undertaking given to a court;10. Power of High Court to punish contempts of subordinate
courts. - Every High Court shall have and exercise the same
jurisdiction, powers and authority, in accordance with the same
procedure and practice, in respect of contempt of courts
subordinate to it as it has and exercises in respect of contempts
of itself:Provided that no High Court shall take cognizance of a
contempt alleged to have been committed in respect of a court
subordinate to it where such contempt is an offence punishable
under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).11. Power of High Court to try offences committed or
offenders found outside jurisdiction. - A High Court shall haveREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 11 of 64
jurisdiction to inquire into or try a contempt of itself or of any
court subordinate to it, whether the contempt is alleged to have
been committed within or outside the local limits of its
jurisdiction, and whether the person alleged to be guilty of
contempt is within or outside such limits.12. Punishment for contempt of court. - (1) Save as otherwise
expressly provided in this Act or in any other law, a contempt of
court may be punished with simple imprisonment for a term
which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend
to two thousand rupees, or with both:Provided that the accused may be discharged or the punishment
awarded may be remitted on apology being made to the
satisfaction of the court.Explanation. - An apology shall not be rejected merely on the
ground that it is qualified or conditional if the accused makes it
bona fide.(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time
being in force, no court shall impose a sentence in excess of
that specified in sub-section (1) for any contempt either in
respect of itself or of a court subordinate to it.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, where a
person is found guilty of a civil contempt, the court, if it
considers that a fine will not meet the ends of justice and that a
sentence of imprisonment is necessary shall, instead of
sentencing him to simple imprisonment, direct that he be
detained in a civil prison for such period not exceeding six
months as it may think fit.XXX XXX XXX
13. Contempts not punishable in certain cases.-
Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time
being in force,-(a) no court shall impose a sentence under this Act for a
contempt of court unless it is satisfied that the contempt is of
such a nature that it substantially interferes, or tends
substantially to interfere with the due course of justice;REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 12 of 64
(b) the court may permit, in any proceeding for contempt of
court, justification by truth as a valid defence if it is satisfied
that it is in public interest and the request for invoking the said
defence is bonafides.‖DECISIONS IN SHIKHA BHATIA (SUPRA), AVNEESH SOOD
(SUPRA) AND DINESH GULATI (SUPRA)8. We now proceed to examine the facts of Shikha Bhatia (supra) and
Avneesh Sood (supra), which are stated to be inconsistent with the decision
of the Division Bench in the case of Dinesh Gulati (supra).9. In the case of Shikha Bhatia (supra), during the pendency of the
petition filed before the High Court for anticipatory bail in a FIR registered
against him and his parents, the respondent/husband had entered into an
agreement with the petitioner/wife, wherein he had agreed to pay a quantified
amount to her in full and final satisfaction of all her claims and in
consideration thereof, the wife had agreed to sign the First motion for grant
of divorce by mutual consent and then the petition under Section 13B(2) of
the Act. In terms of the said settlement, the wife had also agreed not to object
to quashing of the FIR registered against the respondent. When the husband
refused to abide by the undertaking given to the wife by making over the
payments etc., she filed contempt proceedings with a grievance that the
respondent No.1 had willfully violated the undertaking given before the
court. The learned Single Judge observed that the husband having taken
advantage of the agreement entered into with the wife in terms of the
settlement, he could not withdraw the same to her detriment. It was thus held
that the husband had willfully and deliberately disregarded the settlementREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 13 of 64
recorded in court on his own representation and accordingly declared him
guilty of contempt. For holding so, reliance was placed on the decision of
the Supreme Court in the case of Kapildeo Prasad Sah vs. State of Bihar
reported as (1999) 7 SCC 569, that had highlighted the fact that for holding
a party guilty of civil contempt, the element of willful disobedience of the
judgment or order of the court must be established.10. In the case of Avneesh Sood (supra), disputes and differences had
arisen between the parties after a decade of their marriage and they had
executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing inter alia to
seek divorce by mutual consent. The said MOU had recorded several terms
and conditions for a one time settlement wherein the husband had agreed to
pay a quantified amount to the wife, in installments. There were other terms
and conditions laid down in the MOU, relating to the custody of their minor
child. After execution of the MOU, the parties had filed a joint petition for
dissolution of marriage by mutual consent under Section 13B(1) of the Act
and had incorporated therein the terms and conditions of settlement, which
were duly accepted by the court during the First motion proceedings. Later
on, when the wife refused to cooperate with the husband for moving the
Second motion petition under Section 13B(2) of the Act, he filed a contempt
petition against the respondent/wife on the ground that she had withdrawn
from the undertaking given by her to the court at the time of filing the
petition for mutual divorce under Section 13B(1) of the Act before the
Family Court. Relying on the decision of the Single Judge in the case of
Shikha Bhatia (supra) and of the Karnataka High Court in the case of S.
Balasubramaniyam v. P. Janakaraju Anr. reported as 2004 (5) Kar. LJ 338REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 14 of 64
(DB), the learned Single Judge held the wife guilty of contempt of court for
having breached the undertaking given to the learned ADJ in the First motion
divorce proceedings under Section 13B(1) of the Act and issued a notice to
show cause to her as to why she should not be punished for contempt of
court, particularly when she had derived benefits from the husband in terms
of the MOU.11. Coming next to the decision of the Division Bench in the case of
Dinesh Gulati (supra), in the said case, the appellant/husband and the
respondent/wife had made a joint statement before the Family Court on
22.07.2014, stating that they had resolved all their matrimonial disputes
including disputes relating to dowry/Stridhan articles and permanent alimony
and they had decided to dissolve their marriage by mutual consent. One of
the terms of settlement between the parties was that the husband would
transfer an immovable property in the name of his wife within one month and
pay her a particular sum of money on or before the Second motion was
moved by the parties under Section 13B(2) of the Act. After about two years
from the date their joint statement was recorded before the Family Court, the
husband filed an application for initiating contempt proceedings against the
wife on the ground of non-compliance of the order dated 22.07.2014, stating
inter alia that she was not coming forth to file a joint petition under Section
13B(1) of the Act for obtaining a decree of divorce by mutual consent. The
wife had countered the said submission by pointing out to the Family Court
that the husband had not complied with his part of the obligations undertaken
in the joint statement, having failed to transfer the immovable property in her
name, within the agreed timeline.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 15 of 64
12. On hearing the parties and perusing their joint statement recorded on
22.07.2014 and noting the resistance on the part of the husband to transfer the
immovable property in favour of the wife despite the terms and conditions
stipulated in the settlement forming a part of the joint statement, the learned
Family Court declined to initiate contempt proceedings against the wife and
dismissed the husband‟s application. It then proceeded to issue a notice to
show cause to the husband calling upon him to explain why contempt
proceedings should not be initiated against him for non-compliance of the
settlement recorded in the joint statement dated 22.07.2014.13. Aggrieved by the suo moto contempt proceedings initiated by the
Family Court, the husband approached the High Court for relief. The
Division Bench expressed a view that recourse to suo moto contempt
proceedings in the circumstances of the case, neglects the mutuality aspect
provided under Section 13B of the Act. The court opined that initiation of suo
moto contempt proceedings was a coercive process, foreclosing the choice
that the parties have in terms of the mechanism laid down under Section 13B
of the Act, which mandates a mutuality for grant of consent decree of
divorce, split into two stages. It was in the aforesaid context that the appeal
filed by the husband was allowed, the order dated 04.04.2016, passed by the
learned Family Court, ordering initiation of contempt proceedings against
him, was set aside and the original divorce petition was restored for
adjudication on merits as the parties did not wish to proceed further with their
agreement for mutual consent divorce.14. Questions No.(A) and (B) framed above require an interpretation of
Section 13B of the Act in the context of maintainability of contemptREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 16 of 64
proceedings in the event one party fails to file or appear for moving a petition
under Section 13B(1) or a motion under Section 13B(2) of the Act or take
both steps, to obtain divorce. We have also been called upon to express a
view on the effect of furnishing an undertaking before a court, either at the
two stages contemplated in Section 13B or in separate court proceedings and
whether such an act will amount to waiving the rights of a party under
Section 13B(2) of the Act. Question No.(C) formulated by the learned Single
Judge invites guidelines, if any, to be followed by the courts at the time of
recording undertakings/agreements of the parties with respect to the two
stages contemplated under Section 13B of the Act, for obtaining divorce.
Question No. (D) juxtaposes the views expressed by the two learned Single
Judges in the cases of Shikha Bhatia (supra) and Avneesh Sood (supra),
wherein the defaulting spouses were held guilty of contempt of court for
breaching the undertakings given by them, for obtaining divorce by mutual
consent, against the decision of the Division Bench in the case of Dinesh
Gulati (supra), wherein suo moto contempt proceedings initiated by the
Family Court against the husband for breaching the undertaking recorded in
his statement made jointly with the wife before the Family court, were
quashed and the original divorce petition restored to its original position.ARGUMENTS ADDRESSED BY COUNSELS FOR THE PARTIES
15. Before proceeding to answer the aforesaid questions, we may note that
vide order dated 25.4.2017, CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 was made the lead
matter for the purposes of addressing arguments and Mr. B.B. Gupta, Senior
Advocate was appointed as an Amicus Curiae to assist the Court. TheREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 17 of 64
contentions of the learned Amicus Curiae and the counsels for the parties
were as follows:-16. Mr. B.B. Gupta, the learned Amicus Curiae had made the following
submissions:-(i) That mutual consent is a sine qua non for passing a decree of divorce
and the said consent must be valid and subsisting until the time a final
decree of divorce is passed. For the said proposition, reliance was
placed on the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Sureshta
Devi vs. Om Prakash reported as (1991) 2 SCC 25.(ii) That courts cannot presume consent of a party merely because both the
parties are signatories to the First motion under Section 13B of the
Act. Before passing a decree of divorce, the court remains under an
obligation to satisfy itself as to whether the consent given by the
parties is a valid one. For the said proposition, reliance was placed on
Smruti Pahariya vs. Sanjay Paharia reported as (2009) 13 SCC 338,
Anil Kumar Jain vs. Maya Jain reported as (2009) 10 SCC 415 and
Hitesh Bhatnagar vs. Deepa Bhatnagar reported as AIR 2011 SC
1637.(iii) That courts are empowered to enquire into the bona fides of the spouse
who withdraws the consent after filing a petition under Section 13B of
the Act. Reference was made to Rajesh R. Nair vs. Meera Babu
reported as AIR 2014 Kerala 44, Family Court Appeal No.61/2010
Prakash Alumal Kalandari vs. Mrs. Jahnavi Prakash Kalandari decided
by the Bombay High Court on 06.05.2011 reported as AIR 2011 BOM
119, and Family Court Appeal No.230/2014 in Mrs. Ishita KunalREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 18 of 64
Sangani vs. Kunal Sudhir Sangani decided by the Bombay High Court
on 07.10.2014 reported as 2014 (6) ABR 767.(iv) That violation or breach of an undertaking, which forms a part of the
decree of the court, amounts to contempt of court, irrespective of
whether it is open to the decree holder to execute the decree. In the
said context, Rama Narang vs. Ramesh Narang and Anr. reported as
2006(11) SCC 114 was cited to understand the definition of the term
‗undertaking' and the consequences of a breach thereof and Ashok
Paper Kamgar Union vs. Dharam Godha and Ors. reported as 2003(11)
SCC 1 was quoted wherein the Supreme Court had explained the
definition of the terms, „willful‟ and „civil contempt‟. The legal options
available for seeking enforcement of an interim/final decree including
an undertaking given to the court was highlighted by placing reliance
on Kanwar Singh Saini vs. High Court of Delhi reported as (2012) 4
SCC 307.(v) That a statutory right can be waived by a person subject to the
condition that no public interest is involved therein. For this, reference
was made to Krishna Bahadur vs. Purna Theatre and Ors. reported as
(2004) 8 SCC 229.(vi) The decisions in the case of Hirabai Bharucha vs. Pirojshah Bharucha
reported as AIR (32) 1945 Bombay 537 and Jyoti vs. Darshan Nirmal
Jain reported as AIR 2013 Gujarat 2018 were cited, wherein marriage
has been declared a matter of public policy. Reference was also made
to Nagendrappa Natikar vs. Neelamma reported as 2014(14) SCC 452,
to state that the Supreme Court has held that the right to claimREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 19 of 64
maintenance cannot be waived by a wife, it being a social welfare
legislation.(vii) Lastly, reference was made to the judgment of a Division Bench of this
Court in the case of Angle Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. vs. Ashok
Manchanda Ors. reported as 2016(156) DRJ 290(DB), wherein the
mode and manner of seeking execution of a settlement agreement
arrived at through the ADR process, was exhaustively examined.17. Mr. Sunil Mittal, learned Senior Advocate had submitted that though
marriage in Hindu law is treated as a sacrament and not a contract, on the
introduction of Section 13B in the year 1976, the Act of 1955 provides an
option for dissolution of a marriage by mutual consent. He canvassed that
once the parties arrive at a settlement by invoking the Alternate Dispute
Resolution (ADR) mechanism and the said mediated settlement is accepted
by the court, it becomes a decree, which is executable and the provisions of
Section 13B of the Act follow thereafter. In the event either of the parties to
the settlement are allowed to renege from such a settlement arrived at either
through mediation or out of court, then the entire object of ADR will be
brought to a naught and in those circumstances, the law of contempt must be
exercised to prevent a defaulting party from breaching the Settlement
Agreement. Learned counsel further argued that Section 13B(1) of the Act
embodies and implies the consent of both the parties, who cannot be
permitted to renege and the underlying purpose of giving a window of six
months to the spouses under Section 13B(2) of the Act, is only to enable
them to reconcile their disputes, but not to withdraw from the consent already
given and prolong the agony of the other spouse. Much emphasis was laid byREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 20 of 64
learned counsel on the observations made in the case of Afcons Infrastructure
Ltd. and Anr. vs. Cherian Varkey Construction Company Private Limited and
Ors. reported as (2010) 8 SCC 24, where the alternate dispute resolution
mechanism and execution of a settlement arrived at through the said
mechanism, were delved into at length and explained by the Supreme Court.18. The decision in the case of Dr. Keshaorao Krishnaji Londhe vs. Mrs.
Nisha Londhe reported as AIR 1984 BOMBAY 413 was cited by Mr. Mittal,
Senior Advocate to urge that there has been a sea change in the concept of
public policy inasmuch as prior to the year 1964, only judicial separation was
permissible on the ground of cruelty but thereafter, divorce was permitted
after waiting for a period of two years from the date of passing a decree of
judicial separation, subject to certain conditions. Post the amendments to the
Act of 1955, when Section 13B came to be enacted, the "fault theory" that
was predominant for grant of a divorce or a judicial separation, was treated as
outdated. The case of Shri Lachoo Mal vs. Radhey Shyam reported as
1971(1) SCC 619, wherein the doctrine of waiver was interpreted by the
Supreme Court, was cited to urge that unless there is any express prohibition
against contracting out of a Statute, questions cannot be raised on anyone
entering into such a contract in his private capacity, without infringing any
public right or public policy. The decision in the case of Rajiv Chhikara vs.
Sandhya Mathur reported as 2017 (161) DRJ 80 (DB) was relied on to
emphasize that resiling from a settlement agreement also constitutes mental
cruelty.19. A recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Amardeep Singh
vs. Harveen Kaur reported as (2017) 8 SCC 746 was quoted by the learnedREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 21 of 64
counsel to buttress his argument that even the Supreme Court has
acknowledged the change in public policy by permitting waiver of the
statutory period of six months, contemplated in Section 13B of the Act, with
the object of preventing a forcible perpetuation of the status of matrimony
between unwilling partners. He concluded his arguments by stating that
powers of contempt must be invoked by courts to prevent breach of contract
and to curtail the prolonged agony of the parties by compelling them to
remain joined in a dead marriage.20. Mr. Ashish Virmani, learned counsel largely supported the arguments
addressed by Mr. Sunil Mittal, Senior Advocate. He referred to Supreme
Court Bar Association vs. Union of India and Anr. reported as (1998) 4 SCC
409 and T. Sudhakar Prasad vs. Govt. of A.P. and Ors. reported as (2001) 1
SCC 516 to urge that powers of contempt are inherent powers vested in the
Supreme Court and the High Courts that cannot be whittled down or taken
away by any legislative enactment subordinate to the Constitution of India.
The said powers must be exercised in circumstances where one of the parties
breaches the terms and conditions of the settlement for obtaining a decree of
divorce by mutual consent as contempt proceedings operate in an entirely
different field and do not stem either from the provisions of Section 13B(1)
or Section 13B(2) of the Act. He stated that the consequences of non-filing of
the joint motion for mutual divorce under Section 13B(2) of the Act cannot
impinge on the courts‟ independent powers to initiate contempt proceedings,
after it has examined whether an undertaking has been furnished by a spouse
and if so, whether there is any justification for violating the said undertaking.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 22 of 64
21. Ms. Chandrani Prasad, learned counsel also endorsed the submissions
made by Mr. Sunil Mittal, Senior Advocate and Mr. Ashish Virmani,
Advocate. She particularly referred to the provisions of Section 23(1)(bb) of
the Act to argue that only if a court is satisfied that a divorce is being sought
on the ground of mutual consent and such a consent has not been obtained by
exercising force, fraud or undue influence, irrespective of whether such a
proceeding is defended or not, then in case of a breach of the
agreement/undertaking given by a spouse, contempt proceedings will lie.22. Mr. Prashant Mendiratta, learned counsel canvassed that it is a settled
position of law that an undertaking given to the court and orders delivered
by courts are to be complied with under all circumstances and a person can
contract himself out of a statutory right intended for his/her benefit so long
as such an act does not impinge upon a public policy. He submitted that a
contract under which a person waives his right, is valid and enforceable and
such an act of waiver is distinguishable from the doctrine of estoppels, as
clarified in the case of Shri Lachoo Mal (supra) and Krishna Bahadur
(supra); that a right can be waived by a party for whose benefit the said right
exists, as held in Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay vs. Dr.
Hakimwadi Tenants‟ Association ad Ors. reported as (1988) Supp. SCC 55
and Union of India vs. Pramod Gupta (Dead) By LRs and Ors. reported as
(2005) 12 SCC 1; that an order of the court or an undertaking given to the
Court must be obeyed by all the parties concerned till such an order is set
aside, as held in S. Balasubramaniyam (supra); that a joint petition under
Section 13B of the Act of 1955 cannot be withdrawn by a party for malafide
and extraneous reasons as held in Rajesh vs. Mrs. Bhavna reported asREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 23 of 64
2008(6) Mh.L.J. 853. To buttress his argument that the "cooling period"
between a petition filed under Section 13B(1) and a joint motion filed under
Section 13B(2) of the Act, is meant to explore reconciliation between the
parties and a consent can be withdrawn by either spouse at any time before a
decree is passed, he alluded to the decisions in the case of Sureshta Devi
(supra), Anil Kumar Jain (supra) and Hitesh Bhatnagar (supra).23. Per contra, Mr. Rajat Aneja, learned counsel laid much emphasis on
the fact that a marriage is a sacrament in the Hindu Law and therefore, it has
a public policy dimension. He cited Pirojshah Bharucha‟s case (supra) and
Jyoti‟s case (supra) to submit that every effort must be made by the Courts to
sustain the institution of marriage as prescribed in Section 23 of the Act, and
Section 9 of the Family Courts Act. It was submitted that if a contract
between the spouses recording the terms of settlement runs against the public
policy, then it must be treated as void ab initio and unenforceable in law and
in those circumstances, contempt proceedings cannot be resorted to. In the
event of non-filing of a joint motion under Section 13B(2) of the Act, as may
have been agreed upon by the parties, contempt proceedings will not lie as a
statutory right vested in a party to rethink, cannot be waived. He canvassed
that the consequences of non-compliance of the terms and conditions
recorded in a settlement or an undertaking given by either spouse, can only
result in restoration of status quo ante. Learned counsel stated that the
decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Sureshta Devi (supra) remains
good law. Reliance was placed by him on Inderjit Kaur vs. Rajinder Singh
reported as 18 (1980) DLT 197 and Ashish Ranjan vs. Anupma Tandon and
Anr. reported as (2010) 14 SCC 274, to state that if an agreement betweenREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 24 of 64
the parties would result in defeating the provisions of a Statute or is in
violation of an enactment, then it cannot result in any contempt proceedings
and further, that a change in the circumstances of a case or subsequent
developments must be taken into consideration for dropping contempt
proceedings.JUDICIAL PRONOUNCEMENTS ON THE SCOPE OF SECTION
13B OF THE HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955 AND THE RIGHT TO
WITHDRAW CONSENT24. First, a glance at the statutory provisions is necessary. Section 13B of
the Act requires that a petition for divorce by mutual consent must be
presented to the court jointly by both the parties. The said provision
contemplates two stages. The first stage is of Section 13B(1) that lays down
the essential requirements to be fulfilled by the parties as detailed below:-(i) That the petition for divorce must be presented to the District Court.
(ii) That the said petition must be presented jointly, by both the parties to a
marriage whether such a marriage was solemnized before or after the
commencement of the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976.(iii) That the parties have been living separately for a period of one year.
(iv) That the parties have not been able to live together and
(v) That the parties mutually agreed that the marriage should be dissolved.
It is clear from the aforesaid conditions prescribed in Section 13B(1) that it is
mandatory in nature and certain specific jurisdictional facts must be in
existence for the Family court to assume jurisdiction of the case and entertain
a petition for divorce by mutual consent.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 25 of 64
25. The second stage is of Section 13B(2) that relates to the manner in
which the court exercises its jurisdiction, provides that both the parties must
again appear in the Second motion before the court. The parties are also
required to make a joint motion not less than six months after the date of
presentation of the first motion and not later than 18 months after the said
date. It is at the stage of the Second motion that the court must conduct an
enquiry as it may consider necessary, to satisfy itself as to the genuineness of
the averments made in the petition and also to verify as to whether the said
consent was not obtained by force, fraud or undue influence, as contemplated
under Section 23(1)(bb) of the Act. The enquiry that the court is required to
undertake, may include a hearing or the examination of the parties. Only
when the court is satisfied after conducting an enquiry in the manner it thinks
fit that the consent of the parties was not obtained by fraud, force or undue
influence and that they had mutually agreed to dissolve the marriage, should
a decree of divorce be passed.26. In the case of Sureshta Devi (supra), the question that arose before the
Supreme Court was as to whether it is open to one of the spouses at any time
till a decree of divorce is passed, to withdraw the consent given to the
petition filed under Section 13B of the Act. The Supreme Court noticed the
divergent views expressed by different High Courts. The Bombay High
Court, Delhi High Court and Madhya Pradesh High Court took a view that
the critical time for the consent for divorce under Section 13B was when the
first petition was filed and if the consent was given voluntarily, it was not
possible for any party to withdraw the said consent. On the other hand, theREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 26 of 64
Kerala High Court, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Rajasthan High
Court held that it is open to one of the spouses to withdraw the consent given
to the petition at any time before the court passes a decree of divorce. On
interpreting Section 13B(2) of the Act and analyzing the divergent views
expressed by different High Courts, the Supreme Court approved the view
expressed by the High Courts of Kerala, Punjab Haryana High Court and
Rajasthan on the interpretation of Section 13 B(2) and held that:-―13. From the analysis of the Section, it will be apparent that
the filing of the petition with mutual consent does not
authorise the court to make a decree for divorce. There is a
period of waiting from 6 to 18 months. This interregnum was
obviously intended to give time and opportunity to the parties
to reflect on their move and seek advice from relations and
friends. In this transitional period one of the parties may have
a second thought and change the mind not to proceed with the
petition. The spouse may not be party to the joint motion
under sub-section (2). There is nothing in the Section which
prevents such course. The Section does not provide that if there
is a change of mind it should not be by one party alone, but by
both. The High Courts of Bombay and Delhi have proceeded on
the ground that the crucial time for giving mutual consent for
divorce is the time of filing the petition and not the time when
they subsequently move for divorce decree. This approach
appears to be untenable. At the time of the petition by mutual
consent, the parties are not unaware that their petition does
not by itself snap marital ties. They know that they have to
take a further step to snap marital ties. Sub- section (2)
of Section 13-B is clear on this point. It provides that "on the
motion of both the parties‖ .... if the petition is not withdrawn
in the meantime, the Court shall pass a decree of divorce What
is significant in this provision is that there should also be
mutual consent when they move the court with a request to pass
a decree of divorce. Secondly, the Court shall be satisfiedREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 27 of 64
about the bonafides and the consent of the parties. If there is
no mutual consent at the time of the enquiry, the court gets no
jurisdiction to make a decree for divorce. If the view is
otherwise, the Court could make an enquiry and pass a divorce
decree even at the instance of one of the parties and against the
consent of the other. Such a decree cannot be regarded as
decree by mutual consent.‖ (emphasis added)27. The decision in the case of Sureshta Devi (supra) was endorsed by a
three Judge Bench of the Supreme Court in the case of Smruti Pahariya
(supra) in the following words:-―42. We are of the view that it is only on the continued
mutual consent of the parties that a decree for divorce under
Section 13-B of the said Act can be passed by the court. If
petition for divorce is not formally withdrawn and is kept
pending then on the date when the court grants the decree,
the court has a statutory obligation to hear the parties to
ascertain their consent. From the absence of one of the parties
for two to three days, the court cannot presume his/her consent
as has been done by the learned Family Court Judge in the
instant case and especially in its fact situation, discussed above.43. In our view it is only the mutual consent of the parties
which gives the court the jurisdiction to pass a decree for
divorce under Section 13-B. So in cases under Section 13-B,
mutual consent of the parties is a jurisdictional fact. The court
while passing its decree under Section 13-B would be slow and
circumspect before it can infer the existence of such
jurisdictional fact. The court has to be satisfied about the
existence of mutual consent between the parties on some
tangible materials which demonstrably disclose such consent."
(emphasis added)REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 28 of 64
28. Following the decision in the case of Sureshta Devi (supra), in the case
of Anil Kumar Jain (supra), the Supreme Court had clarified that the doctrine
of irretrievable breakdown of marriage is not available either to the High
Court or the civil courts and only the Supreme Court can invoke its
extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India to do
complete justice to the parties, when faced with a situation where the
marriage tie is completely broken and there is no possibility whatsoever of
the spouses coming together again. It was further declared that under the
existing laws, the consent given by the parties at the time of filing of the joint
petition for divorce by mutual consent, must subsist till the second stage
when the petition comes up for orders and a decree of divorce is finally
passed.29. Similarly, in the case of Hitesh Bhatnagar (supra), going by the
language used in Section 13B(2) of the Act, the Supreme Court clarified that
one of the parties may withdraw their consent at any time before passing of
the decree of divorce and unless there is a complete agreement between the
husband and wife for dissolution of the marriage and unless the court is
completely satisfied that a free consent has been given by both the parties, a
decree of divorce by mutual consent cannot be granted.30. Interlinked with the aspect of free consent, is the question as to
whether once a consent is given and later on, it is withdrawn by one of the
parties, can the court enquire into the bonafides or otherwise of the
withdrawal of the said consent. The said issue was examined by a Division
Bench of the Kerala High Court in the case of Rajesh R. Nair (supra) and
answered thus:-REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 29 of 64
"19. The further question to be considered is whether once
consent is given and is later withdrawn by one of the parties,
whether the Court can enquire into the bona fides or otherwise
of the withdrawal of the consent. By providing that the enquiry
under S. 13B(2) shall be only if consent is not withdrawn, the
statute specifically recognizes the right of the parties to
withdraw the consent even at the stage of the enquiry
contemplated under S. 13B(2). That right available to the
parties is an unqualified right and for any reason whatsoever,
if the parties or one of them, choose to withdraw their
consent, such withdrawal of consent is in exercise of the right
available under S. 13B(2). If that be so, it is not for the court
to probe into the bona fides or reasonableness of withdrawal
of consent and once consent is withdrawn, the only option
available to the Court is to close the matter at that stage. If
that be the legal position, we are unable to find any fault on the
part of the Family Court in having dismissed the petition on the
ground of non-compliance of the requirement of S. 13B(2) of
the Act." (emphasis added)31. As against the above view, in the case of Prakash Alumal Kalandari
(supra), a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court had observed that the
appellant/husband therein did not have the right to withdraw his consent for
granting divorce under Section 13B of the Act and held as follows:-"16. As aforesaid, if the Petition is filed "simplicitor under
Section 13B of the Act" for divorce by mutual consent, the
Court must satisfy itself that the consent given by the parties
continues till the date of granting decree of divorce. Even if
one party unilaterally withdraws his/her consent, the Court
does not get jurisdiction to grant decree of divorce by mutual
consent in view of the mandate of Section 13B of the Act.
However, the situation would be different if the parties in the
first instance resort to Petition for relief under Section 9 or 13
of the Act and during the pendency of such Petition, they decide
to invite decree for divorce by mutual consent. On the basis of
agreed arrangement, if the parties were to execute ConsentREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 30 of 64
Terms and then file a formal Petition/Application to convert
the pending Petition to be treated as having been filed under
Section 13B of the Act to grant decree of divorce by mutual
consent, then, in the latter proceedings, before the decree is
passed, one party cannot be allowed to unilaterally withdraw
the consent if the other party has already acted upon the
Consent Terms either wholly or in part to his/her detriment. In
other words, the Court will have to be satisfied that: (i) there is
sufficient, good and just cause for allowing the party to
withdraw his consent, lest, it results in permitting the party to
approbate and reprobate; (ii) that the other party would not
suffer prejudice which is irreversible, due to withdrawal of the
consent. If this twin requirement is not satisfied, the Court
should be loath to entertain the prayer to allow the party to
unilaterally withdraw his/her consent." (emphasis added)32. We do not propose to examine the other judgment of the Bombay
High Court in the case of Ishita Kunal Sangani (supra) cited before us as the
same has since been quashed by the Supreme Court vide judgment dated
27.01.2015, reported as MANU/SC/0406/2015.33. It can be seen from the above that the Supreme Court has held that
mutual consent is an indispensable condition for passing a decree of divorce
under Section 13B of the Act and such a mutual consent should continue
from the time of filing the First motion petition, till the divorce decree is
passed and the marital ties finally snapped. The underlying thread of Section
13B is the mutuality aspect, a factor that should remain in force from the
starting point i.e., the date when the parties jointly file the First motion
petition under Section 13B(1) to the stage when they file the Second motion
petition under Section 13B(2), till a final decree for divorce by mutual
consent is granted by the concerned court.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 31 of 64
WHETHER VIOLATION/BREACH OF UNDERTAKING/
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT/CONSENT ORDER/DECREE
WOULD AMOUNT TO CONTEMPT OF COURT34. Proceeding further, it is necessary to examine the judicial precedents
on the aspect as to whether violation or breach of the undertaking forming a
part of a settlement agreement/consent order or a decree of a court would
amount to contempt of court.35. In the case of Ashok Paper Kamgar Union (supra), the Supreme Court
had examined the provision of Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Court Act
that defines the term ‗civil contempt' and held as follows:-"17. Section 2(b) of Contempt of Courts Act defines 'civil
contempt' and it means willful disobedience to any judgment,
decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a Court or
willful breach of undertaking given to a Court. 'Wilful' means
an act or omission which is done voluntarily and intentionally
and with the specific intent to do something the law forbids or
with the specific intent to fail to do something the law requires
to be done, that is to say with bad purpose either to disobey or
to disregard the law. It signifies a deliberate action done with
evil intent or with a bad motive or purpose. Therefore, in order
to constitute contempt the order of the Court must be of such
a nature which is capable of execution by the person charged
in normal circumstances. It should not require any extra
ordinary effort nor should be dependent, either wholly or in
part, upon any act or omission of a third party for its
compliance. This has to be judged having regard to the facts
and circumstances of each case. ....." (emphasis added)36. Coming to the powers of contempt where a consent order has been
passed by the court or an undertaking given by the party to a court, in S.
Balasubramaniyam (supra), the Karnataka High Court has held as follows:-REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 32 of 64
―19. Orders of Courts have to be obeyed unless and until they
are set aside in appeal/revision. Alternatively in any
proceedings for execution or in a collateral proceedings
where an order is sought to be enforced or relied on, it is
possible for a party to establish that the order is null and void.
Then the Court considering the matter, if satisfied, will hold
that the order is null and void and therefore not executable or
enforceable. In this case, the order of eviction dated 6-8-1996
has been confirmed by the Revisional Court by order dated 18-
11-1996 which in turn has been confirmed by order dated 18-
12-1996 of this Court. These orders are not set aside. They
have not been declared or held to be null and void in any
proceedings. Therefore, the Respondents cannot assume for
themselves that the undertaking given by them is not valid or
that therefore they need not comply with it.20. The principles relating to contempt are clear. The
definition Civil Contempt includes willful breach of an
undertaking given to a Court. Public interest requires that
solemn undertakings given to a Court with the intention of
obtaining any benefit should not be breached willfully. No
litigant can be allowed to wriggle away from a solemn
undertaking given to the Court, as it will open dangerous trends
and defeat the very purpose of giving undertakings to Court.
While Courts will not be vindictive, Courts cannot also allow
themselves to be trifled with by violating the solemn
undertakings given to them. Litigants ought to understand that
once they given an undertaking to a Court, they should comply
with it in all circumstances, the only exceptions being fraud or
statutory bar. They cannot break an undertaking with impunity
and then attempt to justify it. The breach of solemn
undertaking given to a Court is a serious matter and will have
to be dealt with seriously. Further, while execution of a
decree is a matter between the decree holder and the judgment
debtor, an undertaking to a Court is a matter between the
Court and the person who gives the undertaking to the Court.
The right of a landlord to get his tenant vacated in terms of an
order of eviction has nothing to do with the solemnREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 33 of 64
undertaking given by a tenant to the Court to vacate the
premises to obtain the benefit of grant of time for vacating the
premises. It therefore follows that even if the order of eviction
becomes unexecutable for any reason, that will not absolve the
person giving the undertaking to Court, from acting in terms of
it.XXX XXX XXX
22. We are of the view that the validity of order of eviction, has
nothing to do with a contempt action taken for any willful
breach of solemn undertaking given by a litigant to the Court to
vacate the premises. Reliance placed on the decision rendered
with reference to disobedience of orders passed without
jurisdiction, as noticed above, may not be relevant, as the
contempt alleged is not willful disobedience of any
order/judgment, but willful breach of an undertaking given to
this Court. We, therefore, hold that irrespective of the fact
that an order of eviction is executed or unexecutable, it will
not absolve the respondents from their liability and
responsibility to act in terms of the solemn undertaking given
to the Court. Failure to vacate the premises as undertaken by
the tenants - respondent is clearly a willful breach of
undertaking given to the Court which is a civil contempt
punishable under the Act.‖ (emphasis added)37. Taking the discussion further, it is also considered necessary to discuss
the power of the court to punish for contempt. In the case of Supreme Court
Bar Association vs. Union of India Anr. reported as (1998) 4 SCC 409,
the Supreme Court had the occasion to dwell on the constitutional powers
vested in it under Article 129 read with Article 142(2) of the Constitution of
India and the power of the High Court under Article 215 of the Constitution
to punish for contempt and held as follows:-REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 34 of 64
21. It is, thus, seen that the power of this court in respect of
investigation or punishment of any contempt including
contempt of itself, is expressly made 'subject to the provisions of
any law made in this behalf by the parliament' by Article
142(2). However, the power to punish for contempt being
inherent in a court of record, it follows that no act of
parliament can take away that inherent jurisdiction of the
Court of Record to punish for contempt and the Parliament's
power of legislation on the subject cannot, therefore, be so
exercised as to stultify the status and dignity of the Supreme
Court and/or the High Courts, though such a legislation may
serve as a guide for the determination of the nature of
punishment which this court may impose in the case of
established contempt. Parliament has not enacted any law
dealing with the powers of the Supreme Court with regard to
investigation and punishment of contempt of itself. (We shall
refer to Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, later
on) and this Court, therefore exercises the power to investigate
and punish for contempt of itself by virtue of the powers vested
in it under Articles 129 and 142(2) of the Constitution of
India.‖ (emphasis added)38. In the case of T. Sudhakar Prasad (supra), reiterating the view
expressed in Supreme Court Bar Association (supra), the Supreme Court
once again declared that the powers of contempt are inherent in nature and
the provisions of the Constitution only recognize the said pre-existing
situation. The observations made in para 9 and 10 are apposite and are
reproduced hereinbelow:-9. Articles 129 and 215 of the Constitution of India declare
Supreme Court and every High Court to be a Court of Record
having all the powers of such a court including the power to
punish for contempt of itself. These articles do not confer any
new jurisdiction or status on the Supreme Court and the High
Courts. They merely recognise a pre-existing situation that theREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 35 of 64
Supreme Court and the High Courts are courts of record and
by virtue of being courts of record have inherent jurisdiction
to punish for contempt of themselves. Such inherent power to
punish for contempt is summary. It is not governed or limited
by any rules of procedure excepting the principles of natural
justice. The jurisdiction contemplated by Articles 129 and 215
is inalienable. It cannot be taken away or whittled down by any
legislative enactment subordinate to the Constitution. The
provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 are in addition
to and not in derogation of Articles 129 and 215 of the
Constitution. The provisions of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
cannot be used for limiting or regulating the exercise of
jurisdiction contemplated by the said two Articles.10. In Supreme Court Bar Association Vs. Union of India
(1998) 4 SCC 409, the plenary power and contempt jurisdiction
of the Supreme Court came up for the consideration of this
Court and in that context Articles 129, 142, 144 and 215 of the
Constitution were noticed. This Court held that courts of record
enjoy power to punish for contempt as a part of their inherent
jurisdiction; the existence and availability of such power being
essential to enable the courts to administer justice according to
law in a regular, orderly and effective manner and to uphold
the majesty of law and prevent interference in the due
administration of justice (para 12). No act of Parliament can
take away that inherent jurisdiction of the Court of Record to
punish for contempt and Parliaments power of legislation on
the subject cannot be so exercised as to stultify the status and
dignity of the Supreme Court and/or the High Courts though
such a legislation may serve as a guide for their determination
of the nature of punishment which a Court of Record may
impose in the case of established contempt. Power to
investigate and punish for contempt of itself vesting in Supreme
Court flows from Articles 129 and 142 (2) of the Constitution
independent of Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
(para 21). Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
provides for the punishment which shall ordinarily be imposed
by the High Court in the case of an established contempt. ThisREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 36 of 64
section does not deal with the powers of the Supreme Court to
try or punish a contemnor in committing contempt of the
Supreme Court or the courts subordinate to it (paras 28,
29,37). Though the inherent power of the High Court
under Article 215 has not been impinged upon by the
provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, the Act does provide
for the nature and types of punishments which the High
Court may award. The High Court cannot create or assume
power to inflict a new type of punishment other than the one
recognised and accepted by Section 12 of the Contempt of
Courts Act, 1971.‖ (emphasis added)39. In the case of Rama Narang (supra), where a preliminary objection
was taken by the respondent therein as to the maintainability of the contempt
petition filed by the petitioner before Supreme Court by taking a plea that the
consent order recorded before the court did not contain an undertaking or an
injunction of the court and could not form the basis of any proceedings for
contempt. In other words, the mere imprimatur of the court to a consent
arrangement was stated to be insufficient to attract contempt jurisdiction. It
was also argued that only such consent orders that are coupled with an
undertaking or an injunction order of the court, could be the subject matter of
contempt proceedings.40. Exploring the history of the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act,
as initially legislated in the year 1952, followed by the 1971 Act, and
alluding to the judicial precedents, the Supreme Court interpreted the
language of Section 2(b) of the 1971 Act that defines ―civil contempt‖, in the
context of a compromise decree and declared as below:-"23. ..... As we have earlier noted, the section itself provides
that willful violation of any order or decree etc. wouldREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 37 of 64
tantamount to contempt. A compromise decree is as much a
decree as a decree passed on adjudication. It is not as has been
wrongly held by the Calcutta High Court in Nisha Kanto Roy
Chowdhury (supra) [AIR 1948 Cal. 294] merely an agreement
between the parties. In passing the decree by consent, the
Court adds its mandate to the consent. A consent decree is
composed of both a command and a contract. The Bombay
High Court's view in Bajranglal Gangadhar Khemka (supra)
[AIR 1950 Bombay 336] correctly represents the law that a
consent decree is a contract with the imprimatur of the Court.
'Imprimatur' means 'authorized' or 'approved'. In other
words by passing a decree in terms of a consent order the
Court authorizes and approves the course of action consented
to. Moreover, the provisions of Order 23 Rule 3 of the Code of
Civil Procedure requires the Court to pass a decree in
accordance with the consent terms only when it is proved to the
satisfaction of the court that a suit has been adjusted wholly or
in part by any lawful agreement.24. All decrees and orders are executable under the Code of
Civil Procedure. Consent decrees or orders are of course also
executable. But merely because an order or decree is
executable, would not take away the Courts jurisdiction to
deal with a matter under the Act provided the Court is
satisfied that the violation of the order or decree is such, that
if proved, it would warrant punishment under Section 13 of
the Act on the ground that the contempt substantially
interferes or tends substantially to interfere with the due
course of justice. The decisions relied upon by the respondents
themselves hold so as we shall subsequently see." (emphasis
added)41. In the captioned case, the Supreme Court concluded that the consent
terms arrived at between the parties before it, having been incorporated in the
order passed by the court, any violation of the said terms of the consent orderREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 38 of 64
would tantamount to violation of the court‟s order and therefore, be
punishable under the first limb of Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Court Act,
1971.42. In Kanwar Singh Saini (supra), the Supreme Court added a word of
caution while examining a case where proceedings for criminal contempt
under Section 19(1)(b) of the Act of 1971 were initiated against the appellant
therein for breach of an undertaking given by him before the civil court in a
suit for permanent injunction filed against him and based on the said
undertaking, the suit was disposed of. The Supreme Court held that once the
suit stood decreed, if there is a grievance of non-compliance with the terms
of the decree passed in the suit, a remedy is available to the aggrieved person
to approach the Execution Court but resort cannot had to contempt
proceedings, by invoking Order XXXIX Rule 2A of the CPC, as such a
provision is available only during the pendency of the suit and not after the
conclusion of the trial. The view that contempt jurisdiction cannot be used to
enforce a decree passed in a civil suit, was expressed in the following
words:-―20. The proceedings under Order 39 Rule 2-A are available
only during the pendency of the suit and not after conclusion
of the trial of the suit. Therefore, any undertaking given to the
court during the pendency of the suit on the basis of which
the suit itself has been disposed of becomes a part of the
decree and breach of such undertaking is to be dealt with in
execution proceedings under Order 21 Rule 32 CPC and not
by means of contempt proceedings. Even otherwise, it is not
desirable for the High Court to initiate criminal contempt
proceedings for disobedience of the order of the injunction
passed by the subordinate court, for the reason that where a
decree is for an injunction, and the party against whom it hasREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 39 of 64
been passed has willfully disobeyed it, the same may be
executed by attachment of his property or by detention in civil
prison or both.XXX XXX XXX
30. In an appropriate case where exceptional circumstances
exist, the court may also resort to the provisions applicable in
case of civil contempt, in case of violation/breach of
undertaking/judgment/order or decree. However, before
passing any final order on such application, the court must
satisfy itself that there is violation of such judgment, decree,
direction or order and such disobedience is willful and
intentional. Though in a case of execution of a decree, the
executing court may not be bothered whether the disobedience
of the decree is willful or not and the court is bound to execute
a decree whatever may be the consequence thereof. In a
contempt proceeding, the alleged contemnor may satisfy the
court that disobedience has been under some compelling
circumstances, and in that situation, no punishment can be
awarded to him. {See Niaz Mohammed v. State of Haryana
[(1994) 6 SCC 332], Bank of Baroda v. Sadruddin Hasan Daya
[AIR 2004 SC 942] and Rama Narang v. Ramesh Narang [AIR
2006 SC 1883]}. Thus, for violation of a judgment or decree
provisions of the criminal contempt are not attracted.‖43. In the case of Shailesh Dhairyawan vs. Mohan Balkrishna Lulla
reported as (2016) 3 SCC 619, the Supreme Court reiterated the view as
expressed in the case of Rama Narang (supra) that an order of consent is not
a mere contract between the parties, but something more. We may usefully
refer to para 21 of the said decision:-―21. In fact, as has correctly been pointed out by learned
counsel for the respondent, Section 89 of the CPC specifically
provides that a Court hearing a suit may formulate terms of
settlement between the parties and may either settle the same or
refer the same for settlement by conciliation, judicial
settlement, mediation or arbitration. On the facts in the presentREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 40 of 64
case, it is clear that following the mandate of Section 89, the
Bombay High Court disposed of the suit between the parties by
recording the settlement between the parties in clauses 1 to 7 of
the consent terms and by referring the remaining disputes to
arbitration. In the present case therefore it is clear that it is the
Bombay High Court that was the appointing authority which
had in fact appointed Mrs. Justice Sujata Manohar as
arbitrator in terms of clause 8 of the consent terms. We must
remember, as was held in C.F. Angadi v. Y.S. Hirannayya,
[1972] 1 SCC 191 that an order by consent is not a mere
contract between the parties but is something more because
there is super-added to it the command of a Judge. On the
facts of the present case, it is clear that the Bombay High Court
applied its mind to the consent terms as a whole and appointed
Mrs. Justice Sujata Manohar as arbitrator for the disputes that
were left to be resolved by the parties. The said appointing
authority has been approached by the respondent for
appointment of a substitute arbitrator, which was then done by
the impugned judgment. This would therefore be ―according to
the rules that were applicable to the appointment of the
arbitrator being replaced‖ in accordance with Section 15(2) of
the Act. We, therefore, find that the High Court correctly
appointed another independent retired Judge as substitute
arbitrator in terms of Section 15(2) of the Arbitration Act,
1996. The appeal is, therefore, dismissed.‖ (emphasis added)44. On a conspectus of the judicial pronouncements referred to above, it is
clear that the contours of contempt jurisdiction are entirely different. The
Supreme Court and High Courts by virtue of being courts of record, have the
inherent jurisdiction to punish for contempt of court and the 1971 Act is in
addition to the said constitutional powers. Section 2(b) of the 1971 Act not
only encompasses willful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction,
order etc. of a court, it also takes in its fold a willful breach of an undertaking
given to a court. Breach of an undertaking given to the court is a solemnREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 41 of 64
matter, more so when the court places its imprimatur on the same by passing
a consent order/decree. Simply because a decree/order is executable in law,
will not take away the court‟s jurisdiction to initiate contempt proceedings
and if satisfied that the said breach of the undertaking/settlement
agreement/consent order or decree on the part of the defaulting party is
willful and intentional or substantially interferes or tends to interfere with
due course of justice, impose punishment under Section 13 of the 1971 Act.45. At the same time, the courts have held in several judicial
pronouncements that contempt jurisdiction should be exercised sparingly and
even if it finds that a party has committed contempt of court, courts can
always exercise their discretion to drop contempt proceedings, depending on
the facts and circumstances of a case. If the alleged contemnor can satisfy the
court that such a disobedience/breach of the undertaking/settlement
agreement/consent order/decree was under some compelling circumstances
and not on account of any deceit or fraud etc. or that the terms were not
executable or enforceable in law, then the court can exercise its discretion to
drop the said proceedings and decline to punish the contemnor. The court can
also give directions to remedy/rectify the consequences of the actions
suffered by the aggrieved party, caused on account of the breach of the
undertaking/settlement agreement/consent order/decree. However, a
contempt proceeding remains a matter exclusively between the court and the
alleged contemnor. In the case of D.N. Taneja vs. Bhajan Lal reported as
(1988) 3 SCC 26 and referred to by Mr. Ashish Virmani, the Supreme Court
has highlighted the said position and held that any person, who moves the
court for contempt, only brings to the notice of the court certain factsREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 42 of 64
constituting contempt of court. After furnishing the said information, he may
assist the court but at the end of the day, there are only two parties in such
proceedings, the court and the contemnor.NATURE AND EFFECT OF WAIVER AND WHETHER IT
INVOLVES PUBLIC RIGHT46. It is next considered necessary to examine the nature and effect of
waiver in the light of the arguments addressed by one set of counsels before
us that either party for whose benefit the requirements or conditions have
been provided for in the Statute, can waive such a right, subject to the
condition that no public interest is involved therein and therefore, it must be
bound by an undertaking given or a consent order passed, foregoing a
statutory right.47. In the case of Krishna Bahadur (supra), the Supreme Court discussed
the principles of waiver, vis-à-vis the principles of estoppel and observed as
below:-"9. The principle of waiver although is akin to the principle of
estoppel; the difference between the two, however, is that
whereas estoppel is not a cause of action; it is a rule of
evidence; waiver is contractual and may constitute a cause of
action; it is an agreement between the parties and a party fully
knowing of its rights has agreed not to assert a right for a
consideration.10. A right can be waived by the party for whose benefit
certain requirements or conditions had been provided for by a
statute subject to the condition that no public interest is
involved therein. Whenever waiver is pleaded it is for the party
pleading the same to show that an agreement waiving the
right in consideration of some compromise came into being.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 43 of 64
Statutory right, however, may also be waived by his conduct."
(emphasis added)48. In the case of Lachoo Mal (supra), a Division Bench of the Allahabad
High Court explained the doctrine of waiver as follows:-―6. The general principle is that everyone has a right to waive
and to agree to waive the advantage of a law or rule made
solely for the benefit and protection of the individual in his
private capacity which may be dispensed with without
infringing any public right or public policy. Thus the maxim
which sanctions the non-observance of the statutory provision
is "cuilibet licat renuntiare juri pro se introducto". (See
Maxwell on Interpretation of Statutes, Eleventh Edition, pages
375 376.) If there is any express prohibition against
contracting out of a statute in it then no question can arise of
any one entering into a contract which is so prohibited but
where there is no such prohibition it will have to be seen
whether an Act is intended to have a more extensive operation
„as a matter of public policy‟. In Halsbury's Laws of England,
Volume 8, Third Edition, it is stated in paragraph, 248 at page
143:-"As a general rule, any person can enter into a
binding contract to waive the benefits conferred
upon him by an Act of Parliament, or, as it is
said, can contract himself out of the Act, unless it
can be shown that such an agreement is in the
circumstances of the particular case contrary to
public policy. Statutory conditions may, however,
be imposed in such terms that they cannot be
waived by agreement, and, in certain
circumstances, the legislature has expressly
provided that any such agreement shall be void.‖
(emphasis added)49. Dealing with the Land Acquisition Act, in the case of Pramod Gupta
(supra), the Supreme Court has held that a right to claim interest under the
said Act, can be waived by a party for whose benefit such a right exists.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 44 of 64
50. It has thus been held that ordinarily, waiver is contractual in nature
inasmuch as two parties can enter into a contract in their private capacity and
agree that one of them being well aware of its rights, will not assert the said
right, for a consideration. However, where the Statute prohibits contracting
out, then the parties cannot enter into such a contract as it would be opposed
to public policy.51. It is also necessary to examine the inference of waiver arising out of a
settlement agreement arrived at between the parties through the ADR routes
contemplated in Section 89 of the CPC. Dealing with the elements of a
settlement agreement arrived at between the parties before the Delhi High
Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre and its implications, a Division
Bench of this Court in the case of Angle Infrastructure (supra) had the
occasion to examine the nature of the ADR process, as spelt out in Section
89 of the CPC and citing the law laid down by the Supreme Court in the case
of Afcons Infrastructure (supra), it was held as below:-"75. The reference in Rule 25 of the Delhi High Court
Mediation and Conciliation Rules that, on receipt of any
settlement, if the court is satisfied with regard to the settlement,
it ―shall‖ pass ―a decree‖ in accordance with terms thereof
would neither override the statutory mandate of the Arbitration
Conciliation Act, 1996 nor the provisions of the Code of
Civil Procedure. It cannot proscribe the jurisdiction of the
court to pass a decree as well.76. The Mediation and Conciliation Rules, 2004 derive their
existence as well as statutory authority from the Code of Civil
Procedure and cannot confer such substantive rights which the
enabling Act does not prescribe. The intention of the ruleREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 45 of 64
making authority by Rule 25 is to give sanctity to a settlement
agreement reached in mediation in accordance with law. Such
intention and purpose is achieved if the substantive
proceedings are disposed of either by passing a decree in the
suit in terms of the settlement or the proceeding only if the
substantive law so mandates. It is also achieved by an order
accepting and disposing of the proceeding in terms of the
settlement in proceedings where the substantive law does not
envisage passing a decree as under the Arbitration and
Conciliation Act, 1996. Such an order (passed in terms of the
settlement agreement) would be executable under Section 36
of the Code of Civil Procedure in the same manner as a
decree." (emphasis added)52. It is pertinent to note that in Afcons Infrastructure (supra), the
Supreme Court has meticulously analyzed the general scope of Section 89 of
the CPC and examined the issue as to whether the said provision empowers
the court to refer the parties to a suit, to arbitration without the consent of
both the parties. On what would be the appropriate stage at which the court
should explore whether the matter should be referred to the ADR process, the
Supreme Court held that in civil suits, the appropriate stage is after
completion of pleadings, but in family disputes or matrimonial cases, the
ideal stage for mediation is immediately after the respondent is served and
before the objection/written statement is filed, for the reason that in such
cases, the relationship between the parties becomes hostile due to various
allegations/counter allegations leveled against each other in the pleadings.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 46 of 64
53. Dovetailed with the principle of waiver, is the question as to whether
an element of public right is involved in a situation where one spouse enters
into an agreement with the other and waives a statutory right.54. As early as in the year 1945, when the petitioner/wife filed an
application for fixing maintenance under Section 40 of the Parsi Marriage
and Divorce Act, 1936, a Single Judge of the Bombay High Court in
Pirojshah Bharucha (supra) was called upon to decide as to whether the
consent agreement arrived at between the parties either before or after
dissolution of the marriage, would be binding on the wife and whether such
an agreement could be treated as contrary to public policy and lastly, whether
the court will recognize such an agreement where it has statutory powers
under the aforesaid enactment to grant and fix maintenance. Quoting
extensively from a judgment of the House of Lords in the case of Hyman vs.
Hyman [1929] A.D.601, where it was observed that public interest does not
allow parties to obtain divorce by mutual consent and that courts cannot
forgo their duty and be bound by any estoppels between the parties, on the
principle that no such analogy of ordinary action can be applied to the
jurisdiction of courts in the matters of divorce, the learned Single Judge held
that the question of the wife‟s maintenance is a matter of public policy and
she cannot barter away such a statutory right. Therefore, any contract entered
into by the wife giving up her claim to alimony, was held to be a void
contract in the eyes of law, apart from being contrary to public policy.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 47 of 64
55. The social relevance of the institution of marriage was also
underscored by the Supreme Court in the case of Smruti Pahariya (supra) in
the following words:-"24. Marriage is an institution of great social relevance with
social changes, this institution has also changed
correspondingly. However, the institution of marriage is
subject to human frailty and error. Marriage is certainly not a
mere "reciprocal possession" of the sexual organs as was
philosophised by Immanuel Kant (The Philosophy of Law, p.
110, W. Hastie translation 1887) nor can it be romanticised as
a relationship which Tennyson fancied as "made in Heaven"
[Alymer's Field, in Complete works 191, 193 (1878)]"
(emphasis added)56. In the case of Jyoti (supra), the appellant/wife had challenged a decree
of dissolution of marriage granted by the Family Court under Section 13B of
the Act on the ground that her consent had been obtained by deceit and fraud
and had argued that even if she had given her consent, the husband and wife
had not separated for a minimum period of one year, which is an essential
ingredient of Section 13B of the Act, due to which dissolution could not have
been granted. In the above factual matrix, the Division Bench of the Gujarat
High Court had laid much stress on the fact that marriage is an institution
that ought to be sustained and the society and courts must make every effort
to build broken bridges between spouses and held as below:-"37. We are of the opinion that such conditions are statutorily
provided before a petition for dissolution for divorce on
mutual consent can be presented. It was not even open for the
parties to waive such conditions. It is not even the case of the
parties that such conditions were waived in any case. Any other
view would permit the parties to marriage to present a petition
for dissolution of marriage within days of marriage urging theREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 48 of 64
court to accept a consent petition and dissolve the marriage
merely on the ground that the parties have agreed to dissolve
such a marriage. Such a view would be opposed to the very
basic philosophy and principle that as far as possible, the
society and the courts make all attempts to ensure that the
institution of marriage sustains and is not lightly broken. It is
because of these reasons that invariably provisions are made
in the statute providing for a cooling-off period before which,
no petition for dissolution of marriage can be presented, not
only on mutual consent but on any other grounds as well. It is
because of this reason that section 23 of the Hindu Marriage
Act as well as section 9 of the Family Courts Act make detailed
provisions enjoining upon the courts to make all efforts to bring
about a settlement and reconciliation between the parties to
such divorce petition." (emphasis added)57. In the case of Nagendrappa (supra), the question that arose for
consideration before the Supreme Court was whether the compromise
entered into by the husband and wife under Order XXIII Rule 3 CPC,
agreeing for a consolidated amount towards permanent alimony and thereby
giving up any future claim for maintenance, once accepted by the court in
proceedings under Section 125 of the Cr.PC, would preclude a wife from
claiming maintenance in a suit filed under Section 18 of the Hindu Adoption
and Maintenance Act, 1956. Describing Section 125 of the Cr.PC as a piece
of social legislation that provides for summary and speedy relief to a wife,
who is not in a position to maintain herself and her children, an order under
the said provision was held to be only tentative in nature, being subject to the
final determination of all rights in a civil court. Referring to the provisions of
Section 25 of the Contract Act, that contemplates that any agreement which
is opposed to public policy, is unenforceable in a court of law and such anREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 49 of 64
agreement is void since the object is unlawful, the Supreme Court declared
that any order passed under Section 125 Cr.PC by compromise or otherwise,
cannot foreclose the remedy available to the wife under Section 18(2) of the
Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956.58. Insofar as waiver of the waiting period prescribed in Section 13B(2) is
concerned, in the recent judgment delivered by the Supreme Court in the
case of Amardeep Singh (supra), wherein Section 13B(2) has been
interpreted to be procedural in nature, the spirit of the said provision has been
highlighted and the Court observed that in cases where the marriage has
irretrievably broken down, the waiting period can be waived by the court to
enable parties to rehabilitate themselves and start their lives afresh. It is the
underlying object of the said provision that has prevailed on the Supreme
Court to hold that where a court is satisfied that a case for waiver of the
statutory ―cooling period‖ under Section 13 B(2) of the Act is made out, it
may waive the said period in certain circumstances. The above view has been
expressed in the following words:-―16. We have given due consideration to the issue involved.
Under the traditional Hindu Law, as it stood prior to the
statutory law on the point, marriage is a sacrament and cannot
be dissolved by consent. The Act enabled the court to dissolve
marriage on statutory grounds. By way of amendment in the
year 1976, the concept of divorce by mutual consent was
introduced. However, Section 13B(2) contains a bar to divorce
being granted before six months of time elapsing after filing of
the divorce petition by mutual consent. The said period was laid
down to enable the parties to have a rethink so that the court
grants divorce by mutual consent only if there is no chance for
reconciliation.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 50 of 64
17. The object of the provision is to enable the parties to
dissolve a marriage by consent if the marriage has
irretrievably broken down and to enable them to rehabilitate
them as per available options. The amendment was inspired by
the thought that forcible perpetuation of status of matrimony
between unwilling partners did not serve any purpose. The
object of the cooling off the period was to safeguard against a
hurried decision if there was otherwise possibility of
differences being reconciled. The object was not to perpetuate
a purposeless marriage or to prolong the agony of the parties
when there was no chance of reconciliation. Though every
effort has to be made to save a marriage, if there are no
chances of reunion and there are chances of fresh
rehabilitation, the Court should not be powerless in enabling
the parties to have a better option.18. In determining the question whether provision is mandatory
or directory, language alone is not always decisive. The Court
has to have the regard to the context, the subject matter and the
object of the provision. This principle, as formulated in Justice
G.P. Singh's ―Principles of Statutory Interpretation‖ (9th Edn.,
2004), has been cited with approval in Kailash versus Nanhku
and ors.[(2005) 4 SCC 480] as follows:XXX XXX XXX
19. Applying the above to the present situation, we are of the
view that where the Court dealing with a matter is satisfied
that a case is made out to waive the statutory period
under Section 13B(2), it can do so after considering the
following :i) the statutory period of six months specified in Section
13B(2), in addition to the statutory period of one year
under Section 13B(1) of separation of parties is already
over before the first motion itself;ii) all efforts for mediation/conciliation including efforts
in terms of Order XXXIIA Rule 3 CPC/Section 23(2) of
the Act/Section 9 of the Family Courts Act to reunite the
parties have failed and there is no likelihood of success
in that direction by any further efforts;REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 51 of 64
iii) the parties have genuinely settled their differences
including alimony, custody of child or any other pending
issues between the parties;iv) the waiting period will only prolong their agony.
The waiver application can be filed one week after the first
motion giving reasons for the prayer for waiver. If the above
conditions are satisfied, the waiver of the waiting period for
the second motion will be in the discretion of the concerned
Court.20. Since we are of the view that the period mentioned
in Section 13B(2) is not mandatory but directory, it will be
open to the Court to exercise its discretion in the facts and
circumstances of each case where there is no possibility of
parties resuming cohabitation and there are chances of
alternative rehabilitation.‖ (emphasis added)59. In the light of the above decision, wherein the waiting period
prescribed in Section 13B(2) of the Act has been declared to be directory in
nature and not mandatory, the parties have the option of jointly approaching
the court for waiving the said waiting period, which request can be
considered and allowed by the court only if it satisfies the parameters laid
down in the said decision.REFERENCE ANSWERED
60. On a conspectus of the case law discussed above, the four questions of
law framed by the learned Single Judge are answered thus:-Question (A) Whether a party, which has under a settlement
agreement decreed by a Court undertaken to file a petition
under Section 13B(1) or a motion under Section 13B(2) of the
Act, 1955 or both and has also undertaken to appear before the
said Court for obtaining divorce can be held liable forREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 52 of 64
contempt, if the said party fails to file or appear in the petition
or motion or both to obtain divorce in view of the option to
reconsider/renege the decision of taking divorce by mutual
consent under Section 13B(2) of the Act?Answer: (a) The answer to Question (A) is yes. The distinguishing feature of
Section 13B of the Act, 1955 is that it recognizes the unqualified and
unfettered right of a party to unilaterally withdraw the consent or
reconsider/renege from a decision to apply for divorce by mutual consent,
notwithstanding any undertaking given in any legal proceeding or recorded
in any settlement/joint statement, in or outside the court, resulting in a
consent order/decree, to cooperate with the other spouse to file a petition
under Section 13B(1) or a second motion under Section 13B(2) of the Act, or
both. Withdrawal of the consent even at the stage of the enquiry, as
contemplated under Section 13B(2), is also in exercise of the right available
to a party under the very same provision. In other words, the mutuality of the
consent to divorce should commence from the stage of filing the First motion
under Section 13B(1) and it should continue at the time of moving the
Second motion under Section 13B(2) of the Act, till such time that the court
completes the enquiry and a decree of divorce is finally passed. The said
element of mutual consent is a sine qua non for passing a decree of divorce.
This being the legal position, the defaulting party cannot be compelled to file
or appear in the petition or motion or both, to obtain divorce by mutual
consent.(b) Any other view will not only impinge on the jurisdiction of the court
which has an obligation under the Statute to undertake an independent
enquiry before passing a decree of divorce by mutual consent, it will alsoREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 53 of 64
encroach upon a statutory right vested in a party under Section 13B(2) of the
Act and go against the very spirit of the provision, at the heart of which lies
the right of a party to reflect/revisit and retract from its decision of going
ahead for grant of divorce by mutual consent, during the cooling off period.(c) At the same time, a defaulting party can be held liable for civil
contempt on the ground of breaching the terms and conditions incorporated
in an undertaking given to the court or made a part of a consent order/decree.
In the event the aggrieved party approaches the court for initiation of
contempt proceedings against the defaulting party for willful/deliberate
breach of any of the terms and conditions of an undertaking/settlement
agreement/consent order or a decree and takes a plea that as a consequence
thereof, he/she has been placed in a disadvantageous position or has suffered
an irreversible/grave prejudice, the court in exercise of its inherent powers of
contempt, supplemented by the 1971 Act has the requisite jurisdiction to
entertain the petition and direct restoration of status quo ante in every
possible way. Besides directing the defaulting party to disgorge all the
benefits/advantages/privileges that have/would have enured in its favour and
restoring the parties to the position that was before they had arrived at such a
settlement/agreement/undertaking and/or before the consent order/decree was
passed in terms of the settlement arrived at/undertakings recorded, the court
has the discretion to punish the defaulting party for civil contempt,
depending on the facts of a given case. Thus, contempt jurisdiction operates
in a different field and is uninfluenced by the fetters imposed on a court
under the Act of 1955. The only rider to the above is that no direction can be
issued even in contempt proceedings to compel the defaulting party to giveREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 54 of 64
its consent for a decree of divorce by mutual consent, as it is opposed to the
object, policy and intent of Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act.61. Question (B) Whether by undertaking before a Court to file a
second motion under Section 13B(2) of the Act, 1955 at Section
13B(1) stage or by giving an undertaking to a Court to that
effect in a separate court proceeding, a party waives its right to
rethink/renege under 13B(2) of the Act, 1955? If yes, whether
such right can be waived by a party under Section 13B(2) of the
Act, 1955?Answer:(a) The answer to the first limb of Question (B) is no.
Notwithstanding any undertaking given by a party before a court to file a
Second motion under Section 13B(2) or at the Section 13B(1) stage or in any
separate court proceedings, its right to rethink/renege under Section 13B(2)
of the Act, cannot be waived for the reason that such a waiver is proscribed
by the Statute that keeps a window open for the parties to withdraw their
consent at any stage till the decree of divorce is finally granted. The element
of mutual consent remains the leitmotif of the said provision and its existence
is a salient and recurring theme that like warp and weft, weaves its way
through the entire process set into motion at the Section 13B(1) stage,
followed by the Section 13B(2) stage, till the very end when a decree of
divorce is granted. The right of withdrawal of consent in the above
proceedings can be exercised at any stage and exercise of such a discretion
cannot be treated as being opposed to public policy. Any other interpretation
given to the aforesaid provision would negate the underlying aim, object and
intent of the said provision. Once a party decides to have a second thought
and on reflection, backs off, the concerned court cannot compel theREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 55 of 64
defaulting party to give its consent on the basis of an earlier
settlement/undertaking.(b) In view of the answer given to the first limb of Question (B), the
second limb of the said question needs no answer.62. Question (D) Whether the judgment in Avneesh Sood (supra)
and Shikha Bhatia (supra) are good law in view of the doubts
expressed by this Court in paras 19 to 28 and in view of the
Division Bench judgment in Dinesh Gulati (supra).‖Answer: (a) The correct position in law has been expressed by the Division
Bench in the case of Dinesh Gulati (supra), where it was held that once the
parties do not wish to proceed with the agreement for a mutual consent
divorce, then the only appropriate course would be to restore the status quo
ante by reviving the divorce petition pending between the parties. The only
discordant note that the aforesaid judgment appears to strike is the
consequential order of quashing the suo moto proceedings initiated by the
learned Family Court against the defaulting party therein, namely, the
husband. Having carefully perused the brief two pages order where one of us
(Deepa Sharma, J.) was a member of the Division Bench, it is evident that
the said order was passed in the circumstantial facts of the case. There is no
discussion on the legal principles governing contempt proceedings, in
circumstances where an aggrieved spouse approaches the court alleging
breach of the undertaking/settlement agreement/consent order/decree by the
defaulting spouse. Nor is there an analysis of the judicial precedents on the
said subject. Therefore, it cannot be said that the said order would have a
precedential value or has laid down the law on the aspect of the powers ofREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 56 of 64
the court to initiate contempt proceedings for violation of the terms of the
consent order/decree/undertaking. It is a settled law that a case is an authority
only for what it decides and not for what may incidentally follow therefrom
[Refer: Ambica Quarry Works and Anr. vs. State of Gujarat and Ors., (1987)
1 SCC 213; Bhavnagar University vs. Palitana Sugar Mill (P) Ltd. and Ors.,
(2003) 2 SCC 111; Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and Anr. vs.
N.R.Vairamani and Anr., AIR 2004 SC 778 and U.P. State Electricity Board
vs. Pooran Chandra Pandey and Ors., (2007) 11 SCC 92].(b) In the case of Shikha Bhatia (supra), where an amicable settlement
between the husband and wife was recorded and an order was passed by the
Delhi High Court on an anticipatory bail application filed by the husband and
his parents and later on, the husband had willfully violated the undertakings
given by him in the agreement, compelling the wife to file a contempt
petition, the learned Single Judge arrived at a conclusion that the husband
had willfully and deliberately disregarded the settlement recorded in court
and on the strength of the said settlement, had virtually stolen an order of bail
from the court. It was therefore held that the husband had interfered in the
judicial process and was guilty of contempt of court.(c) In the case of Avneesh Sood (supra), the learned Single Judge was of
the view that once the wife had given her consent to file a joint petition for
grant of divorce by mutual consent and after crossing the first stage under
Section 13B(1), given an undertaking to the court in terms of a settlement
recorded in the MOU executed by the parties that she will move the Second
motion petition, she could not have reneged from the said undertaking
accepted by the court as it would undermine the majesty and authority of theREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 57 of 64
court and amount to an abuse of the process of the court. In the concluding
para of the said judgment, while holding the wife guilty of contempt of court
for having breached the undertaking given by her to the Family Court in the
First motion petition moved under Section 13B(1) of the Act, notice to show
cause was issued to her as to why she should not be punished for contempt of
court, primarily on the ground that she had derived benefits and advantages
from the settlement executed with her husband.(d) That the court was mindful of the fact that under the Statute, the wife
could not have been compelled to give her consent for moving a Second
motion petition, as she had a right to withhold such a consent, can be gleaned
from the following observations:-―39. The issue which arises for my consideration is whether the
conduct of the respondent in resiling from her undertaking
given to the Court, by which she was bound, tantamounts to
contempt of Court. ―Civil Contempt‖ is defined to mean willful
disobedience of any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or
other process of the Court or wilfull breach of an undertaking
given to a Court. The respondent has sought to confuse the
issue by asserting that she has a right not to give her consent to
proceed further under Section 13-B(2) of the Hindu Marriage
Act after the ―cooling off‖ period of 6 months has expired. No
doubt, the respondent cannot be compelled to give her consent
for moving the second motion petition under Section 13-B(2),
and she has the right to withhold such consent. .....‖(e) In both the captioned cases, the learned Single Judges have in exercise
of the powers vested in them under Sections 10 and 12 of the Contempt of
Courts Act, 1971 declared the respondents therein as guilty of contempt of
court for having breached the undertakings given by them to the court. For
holding so, notice was taken of their conduct of violating/breaching the termsREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 58 of 64
of settlement and their undertakings given to the court and at the same time,
seeking to gain advantages/benefits under the very same agreement.(f) In our respectful submission, the learned Single Judges have correctly
expounded the law on the inherent powers of the court to initiate contempt
proceedings against the respondents therein for contempt of court in the
given facts and circumstances of those cases. Therefore, there is no conflict
in the views expressed by the Division Bench in the case of Dinesh Gulati
(supra) vis-à-vis the views expressed by the Single Judges in the cases of
Avneesh Sood (supra) and Shikha Bhatia (supra).63. Question (C) Whether any guidelines are required to be
followed by the Court while recording the
undertaking/agreement of the parties with respect to a petition
under Section 13B(1) or a motion under Section 13B(2) of the
Act, 1955 or both for obtaining divorce?Answer: The general guidelines suggested to be followed by the Court
while recording undertaking/agreement of the parties are as below:-
(1) If the parties amicably settle their inter se disputes and differences, and
arrive at a settlement, whether of their own accord, or with the aid and
assistance of the court or on exercising the ADR processes
(mediation/conciliation/Lok Adalat), or otherwise, the settlement
agreement that may be drawn up, must incorporate the following:-i) Record in clear, specific and unambiguous language, the
terms/stipulations agreed upon between the parties;ii) Record in clear, specific, simple and unambiguous language, the
mode, manner, mechanism and/or method for the implementation or
compliances of the terms/stipulations agreed upon between the parties;REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 59 of 64
iii) Record an undertaking of the parties that they will abide by and be
bound by the agreed terms /stipulations of the settlement agreement;iv) Stipulate a fine or penalty as may be agreed upon, in the event of a
default of the agreed terms/stipulations of the settlement agreement by
either side;v) Provide for the consequences of the breach of the terms/stipulations of
the settlement agreement;vi) Record a declaration of both the parties in unequivocal and
unambiguous terms that they have agreed on each and every term
recorded in the settlement agreement, after carefully reading over and
fully understanding and appreciating the contents, scope and effect
thereof, as also the consequences of the breach thereof, including
payment of the fine/penalty, if so agreed;vii) The settlement agreement must state that the terms have been settled
between the parties of their own free will, violation and consent and
without there being any undue pressure, coercion, influence,
misrepresentation or mistake (both of law and fact), in any form
whatsoever. It should also be stated that the settlement agreement has
correctly recorded the said agreed terms.(2) The settlement agreement may include a term/stipulation that the
parties have agreed that they would dissolve their marriage by mutual
consent, which necessarily has to be in accordance with the law, as
provided under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act.(3) The settlement agreement may include other terms/stipulations settled
between the parties including payment of money, transfer ofREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 60 of 64
moveable/immovable properties as for example, jewellery/stridhan,
maintenance amounts, alimony etc. or plans for the custody of the
children/visitation rights of children. The said terms must be
scrutinized by the court to satisfy itself that they are in accordance
with the spirit of law and are enforceable and executable.
(4) On the said settlement agreement being presented, along with a report
(in the event the settlement is arrived at through mediation or
conciliation or Lok Adalat) to the court where the proceedings
between the parties are sub judice, the said court should apply the
procedure and principles to be followed by a civil court under and/or
analogous to the provisions of Order XXIII Rule 3 of the Code of Civil
Procedure.(5) To avoid any ambiguity or misunderstanding on the part of either of
the parties, at a later stage, a clear and unambiguous undertaking to the
court must be recorded.(6) The statements of the parties may be recorded by the court after
putting them on oath in the following manner:-a) the parties should affirm the terms of the settlement;
b) the fact that they have executed the settlement agreement after fully
understanding the terms, consents, effect and consequences thereof;c) that the same has been arrived at of their own free will and volition;
d) that they would be liable for penal consequences in case of breach.
(7) In the alternative, the court may direct the parties to file their
respective affidavits affirming the terms and conditions of the
settlement. If considered necessary, the court may ask the parties toREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 61 of 64
formally prove not only the said affidavits, but also the settlement
agreement executed by them.(8) The Court must apply its judicial mind to satisfy itself that the
settlement arrived at between the parties is not only bonafide,
equitable and voluntary in nature, but is enforceable in law and is not
opposed to public policy. The court must also satisfy itself that there is
no impediment of any nature in accepting the said settlement and the
undertakings of the parties and binding them down thereto.
(9) After perusing the settlement agreement, recording the statements of
the parties and/or examining the affidavits filed by them, as the case
may be, the Court must specifically accept the statements of the parties
and/or the undertakings given by them as also the terms/stipulations of
the settlement agreement and direct that they shall remain bound by
the same.(10) Depending upon the jurisdiction of the Court, appropriate
orders/decree be passed. The said order/decree, as the case may be,
should clearly spell out the consequences of breach, violation of any of
the terms of the settlement agreement. In the event any fine/penalty
has been agreed to be paid under the terms of the settlement agreement
or in case of breach of the same, the order shall state that the said
amount will be recovered from the defaulting party. The parties must
be informed that they will be liable to be punished for contempt of
court in the event of any breach/violation/willful/deliberate
disobedience of the terms of the settlement agreement.REFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 62 of 64
(11) A decree/order shall be passed by the Court in respect of the subject
matter of the suit/proceedings. For those matters/disputes that are not
the subject matter of the suit/proceedings, where a settlement has been
reached before a non-adjudicatory ADR fora, the Court shall direct
that the settlement agreement shall be governed by Section 74 of the
Arbitration and Conciliation Act (in case of a settlement through
conciliation) and/or Section 21 of The Legal Services Authorities Act,
1987. (in respect of a settlement by a Mediator or a Lok Adalat)
[Refer: Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. (supra)]
(12) If the obligations under the settlement agreement/undertaking/consent
order/decree are breached by one party, then, at the instance of the
aggrieved party, appropriate orders shall be passed in accordance with
law.(13) For breach of the undertaking given to the concerned court or
willful/deliberate violation of a consent order/decree, if so approached
or otherwise, the court would take appropriate action as permissible in
law to enforce compliance by the defaulting party by exercising
contempt jurisdiction as contemplated under Section 2(b) of the
Contempt of Court Act, 1971. This will however exclude any coercive
orders compelling the defaulting party to give its consent for grant of a
decree of divorce by mutual consent, notwithstanding any
settlement/undertaking given by the parties before any fora.64. The present Reference is answered in the above terms.
65. Before parting with this case, we would like to place on record our
deep appreciation for the worthy assistance rendered by the learned AmicusREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 63 of 64
Curiae, Mr. Brij Bhushan Gupta, Senior Advocate. We also express our
appreciation for the efforts made by Mr. Sunil Mittal, Senior Advocate,
Mr.Ashish Virmani, Mr. Prashant Mendiratta, Ms. Chandrani Prasad and
Mr.Rajat Aneja, Advocates who had appeared in the matter.66. Files of the contempt petitions in which the Reference was made, shall
be placed before the roster Bench, for further proceedings in accordance with
law on the dates specified in separate orders passed in each case.67. A copy of this order shall be forwarded by the Registry forthwith to
the Principal Judge (Headquarters), Family Courts, Dwarka, Delhi for
circulation to all the Family Courts in Delhi.(HIMA KOHLI)
JUDGE(DEEPA SHARMA)
JUDGEMAY 15, 2018
rkb/na/apREFERENCE IN CONT.CAS(C) 772/2013 and connected matters Page 64 of 64
