SCR.A/1484/2008 1/5 JUDGMENT IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD SPECIAL CRIMINAL APPLICATION No. 1484 of 2008 For Approval and Signature: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.R. SHAH ========================================================= 1 Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment ? 2 To be referred to the Reporter or not ? 3 Whether their Lordships wish to see the fair copy of the judgment ? 4 Whether this case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the constitution of India, 1950 or any order made thereunder ? 5 Whether it is to be circulated to the civil judge? ========================================================= RAJESH DHANSUKHBHAI VERMA - Applicant(s) Versus STATE OF GUJARAT & 1 - Respondent(s) ========================================================= Appearance : MR MAHENDRA U VORA for Applicant(s) : 1, MR M.R.MENGDEY, ADDL. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR for Respondent(s) : 1, MR ADIL R MIRZA for Respondent(s) : 2, ========================================================= CORAM : HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.R. SHAH Date : 29/09/2008 ORAL JUDGMENT 1. By way of this petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner has prayed for an appropriate order to quash and set aside the impugned order dated 03.03.2008 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Fast Track SCR.A/1484/2008 2/5 JUDGMENT Court, Valsad below application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act in Delay Condonation Application No.335 of 2007. 2. Being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the judgment and order passed by the learned 6th Additional Senior Civil Judge and JMFC, Valsad dated 20.02.2007 awarding maintenance to the respondent No.2 herein under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code at the rate of Rs.1000/- per month from 21.07.2005, the petitioner – husband had preferred Revision Application before the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Valsad, however, there was delay of approximately eight months in preferring Revision Application. The petitioner preferred Delay Condonation Application No.335 of 2007 requesting to condone delay in preferring Revision Application. It was contended on behalf of the petitioner that as the son of the petitioner was required to take medical treatment at Mumbai, he was required to stay at Mumbai, therefore, Revision Application could not be preferred within period of limitation. That the learned Revisional Court vide impugned order dated 03.03.2008 dismissed the said application by holding that no sufficient cause has been made out by the petitioner. Being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned order dated 03.03.2008 passed by the learned Revisional Court in not condoning the delay in preferring Revision Application, the petitioner has preferred the present Special Criminal Application under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of SCR.A/1484/2008 3/5 JUDGMENT India. 3. Mr.Vora, learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioner has vehemently submitted that in the facts and circumstances of the case when the petitioner was required to stay at Mumbai for medical treatment of his son and the medical treatment of the son could only be performed at Mumbai to the ailment, the learned Revisional Court ought to have condoned the delay in preferring the Revision Application. It is submitted that the learned Revisional Court ought to have considered sufficient cause liberally so as to advance substantial justice. Therefore, it is requested to allow the present Special Criminal Application. 4. The petition is opposed by Mr.Adil Mirza, learned Advocate for respondent No.2. It is submitted that looking to the conduct of the petitioner when no amount of maintenance has been paid to respondent No.2, it is requested not to exercise discretion in favour of the petitioner and it is requested to dismiss the present application. 5. Having heard the learned Advocates appearing on behalf of the respective parties and considering the application for condoning the delay as well as impugned order it appears that the learned Revisional Court has not properly exercised discretion and has taken too technical view. As held by Hon'ble Superme Court and this Court in catena of decisions, the word SCR.A/1484/2008 4/5 JUDGMENT 'sufficient cause' should be construed liberally so as to advance substantial justice and to see that the parties do not suffer on technical ground and opportunity should be given to the parties to submit the case on merits. 6. Mr.Vora, learned Advocate for the petitioner has submitted that two weeks time be granted to the petitioner to deposit Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) towards arrears to show his bona fide. Considering above and so as to give one opportunity to submit the case on merits rather than non-suiting on technical ground of delay, delay in preferring Revision Application deserves to be condoned. By not condoning the delay, the petitioner will be deprived of submitting the case on merits. On the other hand if delay is condoned, there will be no prejudice to the parties and the Revision Application will be heard on merits. 7. For the reasons stated above, the petition succeeds. Impugned order dated 03.03.2008 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court, Valsad in Delay Condonation Application No.335 of 2007 in not condoning the delay in preferring Revision Application is hereby quashed and set aside on condition that the petitioner shall deposit Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with the learned trial Court towards arrears of maintenance within a period of 4(four) weeks from today and as and when such an amount is deposited, SCR.A/1484/2008 5/5 JUDGMENT respondent No.2 would be permitted to withdraw the same. On said deposit and on production of receipt of said amount, the learned Revisional Court to decide and dispose of the Revision Application on merits and in accordance with law. Rule is made absolute accordingly. [M.R.Shah,J.] satish