IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR WEDNESDAY, THE 24TH NOVEMBER 2010 / 3RD AGRAHAYANA 1932 OP(Crl.).No. 848 of 2010(Q) -------------------------------------- ( CMP. NO. 8473/2010 IN MC.55/2010 of J.M.F.C.-I,NEYYATINKARA) .................... PETITIONERS: --------------------- 1. RAJEEV GOPAL.G, S/O.GOPALAN, AGED 30 YEARS, SRAYES,THEKKUMBHAGAM,PAVANKULANGARA TEMPLE ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA PO,ERNAKULAM 682 301. 2. C.GOPALAN,AGED 65 YEARS, R/AT SRAYES,THEKKUMBHAGAM,PAVANKULANGARA, TEMPLE ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA PO,ERNAKULAM 682 301. 3. RADHAMONY AMMA,W/O.GOPALAN,AGED 62 YEARS SRAYES,THEKKUMBHAGAM,PAVANKULANGARA, TEMPLE ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA PO,ERNAKULAM 682 301. BY ADV. SRI.A.S.SASIDHARAN RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------- 1. LAKSHMI.V.M,W/O.RAJEEV GOPAL,AGED 22 YEARS, THIRUVATHIRA, MUTHUKUZHI,VALLAMCODE, KALLIYOOR VILLAGE, KALLIYOOR PO. 2. STATE OF KERALA,REP.BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM. R2 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. I.V. PRAMOD THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 24/11/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: sts M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR,J. --------------------------------------------- O.P.(CRL.)NO.848 OF 2010 --------------------------------------------- Dated 24th November, 2010 JUDGMENT Petitioners, the respondents in M.C.55/2010 on the file of Judicial First Class Magistrate's court-I, Neyyattinkara filed this petition under Article 227 of Constitution of India to quash Ext.P2 order passed by the Magistrate under Section 23(1) of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) contending that the order was passed without hearing the petitioners and without considering the relevant aspects. 2. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners was heard. 3. Section 29 of the Act provides for an appeal against Ext.P2 order. More Op(Crl) 848/10 2 over, Sub Section 1 of Section 23 enables the Magistrate to pass ex-parte order. Therefore, for the reason that learned Magistrate has passed Ext.P2 order without hearing the petitioners, the order cannot be quashed. Petitioners are entitled to challenge Ext.P2 order before Sessions Court as provided under Section 29 of the Act or are entitled to appear before the learned Magistrate and seek an order after hearing as provided under Section 23(2) of the Act. Petition is disposed. M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR, JUDGE. uj.