REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NOS.

2028-2029__OF 2010 [Arising out of Spe i!" Le!#e Petition $Cr"%& Nos%''()*''(+,'-.-/

D% 0e"us!12
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Appe""!nt

D% P!t 3!i!11!"

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Respon4ent

JUDGMENT Markand ! "a#$%& J.

.% '% Le!#e gr!nte4% He!r4 "e!rne4 ounse" for t3e !ppe""!nt% None 3!s !ppe!re4 for t3e

respon4ent !"t3oug3 s3e 3!s 5een ser#e4 noti e% 6e 3!4 e!r"ier re7ueste4 Mr% J!2!nt B3us3!n8 "e!rne4 Senior ounse" to !ssist us !s A1i us Curi!e in

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t3e !se8 !n4 9e re or4 our !ppre i!tion of Mr% B3us3!n 93o 9!s of onsi4er!5"e !ssist!n e to us% )% T3ese !ppe!"s 3!#e 5een fi"e4 !g!inst t3e :u4g1ent of t3e M!4r!s

Hig3 Court 4!te4 .'%.-%'--;% +% T3e !ppe""!nt 3erein 3!s !""ege4 t3!t 3e 9!s 1!rrie4 ! or4ing to t3e Out of t3e

Hin4u Custo1!r2 Rites 9it3 one L!<s31i on '=%>%.;?-%

9e4"o < 9it3 L!<s31i ! 1!"e 3i"4 9!s 5orn8 93o is no9 stu42ing in !n Engineering o""ege !t Oot2% T3e petitioner is 9or<ing !s ! Se on4!r2 Te! 3er in T3e#!ng! Hig3er Se on4!r2 S 3oo"8 Coi15!tore% =% It !ppe!rs t3!t t3e respon4ent*D% P!t 3!i!11!" fi"e4 ! petition un4er

Se tion .'= Cr%P%C% in t3e 2e!r '--. 5efore t3e F!1i"2 Court !t Coi15!tore in 93i 3 s3e !""ege4 t3!t s3e 9!s 1!rrie4 to t3e !ppe""!nt 3erein on .+%;%.;?> !n4 sin e t3en t3e !ppe""!nt 3erein !n4 s3e "i#e4 toget3er in 3er f!t3er@s 3ouse for t9o or t3ree 2e!rs% It is !""ege4 in t3e petition t3!t !fter t9o or t3ree 2e!rs t3e !ppe""!nt 3erein "eft t3e 3ouse of t3e respon4ent@s f!t3er !n4 st!rte4 "i#ing in 3is n!ti#e p"! e8 5ut 9ou"4 #isit t3e respon4ent o !sion!""2%

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It is !""ege4 t3!t t3e !ppe""!nt 3erein $respon4ent in t3e petition un4er

Se tion .'= Cr%P%C%& 4eserte4 t3e respon4ent 3erein $petitioner in t3e pro ee4ing un4er Se tion .'= Cr%P%C%& t9o or t3ree 2e!rs !fter 1!rr2ing 3er in .;?>% In 3er petition un4er Se tion .'= Cr%P%C% s3e !""ege4 t3!t s3e 4i4 not 3!#e !n2 <in4 of "i#e"i3oo4 !n4 s3e is un!5"e to 1!int!in 3erse"f 93ere!s t3e respon4ent $!ppe""!nt 3erein& is ! Se on4!r2 Ar!4e Te! 3er 4r!9ing ! s!"!r2 of Rs%.----,* per 1ont3% Hen e it 9!s pr!2e4 t3!t t3e respon4ent $!ppe""!nt 3erein& 5e 4ire te4 to p!2 Rs%=--,* per 1ont3 !s 1!inten!n e to t3e petitioner% (% In 5ot3 3er petition un4er Se tion .'= Cr%P%C% !s 9e"" !s in 3er

4eposition in t3e !se t3e respon4ent 3!s !""ege4 t3!t s3e 9!s 1!rrie4 to t3e !ppe""!nt 3erein on .+%;%.;?>8 !n4 t3!t 3e "eft 3er !fter t9o or t3ree 2e!rs of "i#ing toget3er 9it3 3er in 3er f!t3er@s 3ouse% ?% T3us it is t3e o9n !se of t3e respon4ent 3erein t3!t t3e !ppe""!nt "eft

3er in .;?? or .;?; $i%e% t9o or t3ree 2e!rs !fter t3e !""ege4 1!rri!ge in .;?>&% 632 t3en 9!s t3e petition un4er Se tion .'= Cr%P%C% fi"e4 in t3e 2e!r '--.8 i%e% !fter ! 4e"!2 of !5out t9e"#e 2e!rs8 s3!"" 3!#e to 5e s!tisf! tori"2 eBp"!ine4 52 t3e respon4ent% T3is f! t !"so re!tes so1e 4ou5t !5out t3e !se of t3e respon4ent 3erein%

;%

In 3is ounter !ffi4!#it fi"e4 52 t3e !ppe""!nt 3erein 5efore t3e F!1i"2

Court8 Coi15!tore8 it 9!s !""ege4 t3!t t3e respon4ent $!ppe""!nt 3erein& 9!s 1!rrie4 to one L!<s31i on '=%>%.;?- !s per t3e Hin4u M!rri!ge rites !n4 usto1s !n4 3e 3!4 ! 1!"e 3i"48 93o is stu42ing in C%S%I% Engineering o""ege !t Oot2% To pro#e 3is 1!rri!ge 9it3 L!<s31i t3e !ppe""!nt pro4u e4 t3e r!tion !r48 #oter@s i4entit2 !r4 of 3is 9ife8 tr!nsfer ertifi !te of 3is son8 4is 3!rge ertifi !te of 3is 9ife L!<s31i fro1 3ospit!"8 p3otogr!p3s of t3e 9e44ing8 et % .-% T3e "e!rne4 F!1i"2 Court Ju4ge 3!s 3e"4 52 3is :u4g1ent 4!te4

=%)%'--+ t3!t t3e !ppe""!nt 9!s 1!rrie4 to t3e respon4ent !n4 not to L!<s31i% T3ese fin4ings 3!#e 5een up3e"4 52 t3e Hig3 Court in t3e

i1pugne4 :u4g1ent% ..% In our opinion8 sin e L!<s31i 9!s not 1!4e ! p!rt2 to t3e

pro ee4ings 5efore t3e F!1i"2 Court Ju4ge or 5efore t3e Hig3 Court !n4 no noti e 9!s issue4 to 3er 3en e !n2 4e "!r!tion !5out 3er 1!rit!" st!tus #is*C* #is t3e !ppe""!nt is 93o""2 nu"" !n4 #oi4 !s it 9i"" 5e #io"!ti#e of t3e ru"es of n!tur!" :usti e% 6it3out gi#ing ! 3e!ring to L!<s31i no su 3 4e "!r!tion ou"4 3!#e #!"i4"2 5e gi#en 52 t3e Courts 5e"o9 t3!t s3e 3!4 not 1!rrie4 t3e !ppe""!nt 3erein sin e su 3 !s ! fin4ing 9ou"4 serious"2 !ffe t 3er rig3ts%

An4 if no su 3 4e "!r!tion ou"4 3!#e 5een gi#en o5#ious"2 no 4e "!r!tion ou"4 #!"i4"2 3!#e 5een gi#en t3!t t3e !ppe""!nt 9!s #!"i4"2 1!rrie4 to t3e respon4ent8 5e !use if L!<s31i 9!s t3e 9ife of t3e !ppe""!nt t3en 9it3out 4i#or ing 3er t3e !ppe""!nt ou"4 not 3!#e #!"i4"2 1!rrie4 t3e respon4ent% .'% It 1!2 5e note4 t3!t Se tion .'= Cr%P%C% pro#i4es for gi#ing

1!inten!n e to t3e 9ife !n4 so1e ot3er re"!ti#es% T3e 9or4 D9ife@ 3!s 5een 4efine4 in EBp"!n!tion $5& to Se tion .'=$.& of t3e Cr%P%C% !s fo""o9s E F6ife in "u4es ! 9o1!n 93o 3!s 5een 4i#or e4 528 or 3!s o5t!ine4 ! 4i#or e fro18 3er 3us5!n4 !n4 3!s not re1!rrie4%G .)% In '()a*a +", #s% ' ra-.a)! +", [$.;;.& ' SCC )(=/8 ! t3ree*

Ju4ge Ben 3 of t3is Court 3e"4 t3!t Se tion .'= of t3e Co4e of .;() is 1e!nt to ! 3ie#e ! so i!" purpose !n4 t3e o5:e t is to pre#ent #!gr!n 2 !n4 4estitution% EBp"!ining t3e 1e!ning of t3e 9or4 H9ife@ t3e Court 3e"4E F%%t3e o5:e t is to pre#ent #!gr!n 2 !n4 4estitution% It pro#i4es ! spee42 re1e42 for t3e supp"2 of foo48 "ot3ing !n4 s3e"ter to t3e 4eserte4 9ife% 63en !n !tte1pt is 1!4e 52 t3e 3us5!n4 to neg!ti#e t3e "!i1 of t3e neg"e te4 9ife 4epi ting 3er !s ! <ept*1istress on t3e spe ious p"e! t3!t 3e 9!s !"re!42 1!rrie48 t3e ourt 9ou"4 insist on stri t proof of t3e e!r"ier 1!rri!ge% T3e ter1 H9ife@ in Se tion .'= of t3e Co4e of Cri1in!" Pro e4ure8 in "u4es ! 9o1!n 93o 3!s 5een 4i#or e4 52 ! 3us5!n4 or 93o 3!s o5t!ine4 ! 4i#or e fro1 3er

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3us5!n4 !n4 3!s not re1!rrie4% T3e 9o1!n not 3!#ing t3e "eg!" st!tus of ! 9ife is t3us 5roug3t 9it3in t3e in "usi#e 4efinition of t3e ter1 H9ife@ onsistent 9it3 t3e o5:e ti#e% Ho9e#er8 un4er t3e "!9 ! se on4 9ife 93ose 1!rri!ge is #oi4 on ! ount of t3e sur#i#!" of t3e first 1!rri!ge is not ! "eg!""2 9e44e4 9ife8 !n4 is8 t3erefore8 not entit"e4 to 1!inten!n e un4er t3is pro#ision%G .+% In ! su5se7uent 4e ision of t3is Court in Sa/(#a0 n S1)a02a#

32a#(!a #s. S#a# 14 G%$ara# and 1#2 r-8 AIR '--= SC .?-;8 t3is Court 3e"4 t3!t 3o9e#er 4esir!5"e it 1!2 5e to t!<e note of t3e p"ig3t of !n unfortun!te 9o1!n8 93o un9itting"2 enters into 9e4"o < 9it3 ! 1!rrie4 1!n8 t3ere is no s ope to in "u4e ! 9o1!n not "!9fu""2 1!rrie4 9it3in t3e eBpression of H9ife@% T3e Ben 3 3e"4 t3!t t3is in!4e7u! 2 in "!9 !n 5e !1en4e4 on"2 52 t3e Legis"!ture% .=% Sin e 9e 3!#e 3e"4 t3!t t3e Courts 5e"o9 erre4 in "!9 in 3o"4ing t3!t

L!<s31i 9!s not 1!rrie4 to t3e !ppe""!nt $sin e noti e 9!s not issue4 to 3er !n4 s3e 9!s not 3e!r4&8 it !nnot 5e s!i4 !t t3is st!ge t3!t t3e respon4ent 3erein is t3e 9ife of t3e !ppe""!nt% A 4i#or e4 9ife is tre!te4 !s ! 9ife for t3e purpose of Se tion .'= Cr%P%C% 5ut if ! person 3!s not e#en 5een 1!rrie4 o5#ious"2 t3!t person ou"4 not 5e 4i#or e4% Hen e t3e respon4ent 3erein !nnot "!i1 to 5e t3e 9ife of t3e !ppe""!nt 3erein8 un"ess it is est!5"is3e4 t3!t t3e !ppe""!nt 9!s not 1!rrie4 to L!<s31i%

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Ho9e#er8 t3e 7uestion 3!s !"so 5e to 5e eB!1ine4 fro1 t3e point of

#ie9 of T3e Prote tion of 6o1en fro1 Do1esti 0io"en e A t8 '--=% Se tion '$!& of t3e A t st!tes E F2+a, F!ggrie#e4 personG 1e!ns !n2 9o1!n 93o is8 or 3!s 5een8 in ! 4o1esti re"!tions3ip 9it3 t3e respon4ent !n4 93o !""eges to 3!#e 5een su5:e te4 to !n2 ! t of 4o1esti #io"en e 52 t3e respon4entGI Se tion '$f& st!tes E F2+4, F4o1esti re"!tions3ipG 1e!ns ! re"!tions3ip 5et9een t9o persons 93o "i#e or 3!#e8 !t !n2 point of ti1e8 "i#e4 toget3er in ! s3!re4 3ouse3o"48 93en t3e2 !re re"!te4 52 ons!nguinit28 1!rri!ge8 or t3roug3 ! re"!tions3ip in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge8 !4option or !re f!1i"2 1e15ers "i#ing toget3er !s ! :oint f!1i"2GI Se tion '$s& st!tes E F2+-, Fs3!re4 3ouse3o"4G 1e!ns ! 3ouse3o"4 93ere t3e person !ggrie#e4 "i#es or !t !n2 st!ge 3!s "i#e4 in ! 4o1esti re"!tions3ip eit3er sing"2 or !"ong 9it3 t3e respon4ent !n4 in "u4es su 3 ! 3ouse3o"4 93et3er o9ne4 or ten!nte4 eit3er :oint"2 52 t3e !ggrie#e4 person !n4 t3e respon4ent8 or o9ne4 or ten!nte4 52 eit3er of t3e1 in respe t of 93i 3 eit3er t3e !ggrie#e4 person or t3e respon4ent or 5ot3 :oint"2 or sing"2 3!#e !n2 rig3t8 tit"e8 interest or e7uit2 !n4 in "u4es su 3 ! 3ouse3o"4 93i 3 1!2 5e"ong to t3e :oint f!1i"2 of 93i 3 t3e respon4ent is ! 1e15er8 irrespe ti#e of 93et3er t3e respon4ent or t3e !ggrie#e4 person 3!s !n2 rig3t8 tit"e or interest in t3e s3!re4 3ouse3o"4%G

Se tion )$!& st!tes t3!t !n ! t 9i"" onstitute 4o1esti #io"en e in !se it* F5+a, 3!r1s or in:ures or en4!ngers t3e 3e!"t38 s!fet28 "ife8 "i15 or 9e""*5eing8 93et3er 1ent!" or p32si !"8 of t3e !ggrie#e4 person or ten4s to 4o so !n4 in "u4es !using p32si !" !5use8 seBu!" !5use8 #er5!" !n4 e1otion!" !5use !n4 e ono1i !5useIG or $e1p3!sis supp"ie4& .(% T3e eBpression Fe ono1i !5useG 3!s 5een 4efine4 to in "u4e E F$!& 4epri#!tion of !"" or !n2 e ono1i or fin!n i!" resour es to 93i 3 t3e !ggrie#e4 person is entit"e4 un4er !n2 "!9 or usto1 93et3er p!2!5"e un4er !n or4er of ! ourt or ot3er9ise or 93i 3 t3e !ggrie#e4 person re7uires out of ne essit2 in "u4ing8 5ut not "i1ite4 to8 3ouse3o"4 ne essities for t3e !ggrie#e4 person !n4 3er 3i"4ren8 if !n28 stridhan, propert28 :oint"2 or sep!r!te"2 o9ne4 52 t3e !ggrie#e4 person8 p!21ent of rent!" re"!te4 to t3e s3!re4 3ouse3o"4 !n4 1!inten!n eG% $e1p3!sis supp"ie4& .?% An !ggrie#e4 person un4er t3e A t !n !ppro! 3 t3e M!gistr!te un4er

Se tion .' for t3e re"ief 1entione4 in Se tion .'$'&% Un4er Se tion '-$.&$4& t3e M!gistr!te !n gr!nt 1!inten!n e 93i"e 4isposing of t3e !pp"i !tion un4er Se tion .'$.&%

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Se tion '>$.& pro#i4es t3!t t3e re"ief 1entione4 in Se tion '- 1!2

!"so 5e soug3t in !n2 "eg!" pro ee4ing8 5efore ! i#i" ourt8 f!1i"2 ourt or ! ri1in!" ourt% '-% H!#ing note4 t3e re"e#!nt pro#isions in T3e Prote tion of 6o1en

fro1 Do1esti 0io"en e A t8 '--=8 9e 1!2 point out t3!t t3e eBpression D4o1esti re"!tions3ip@ in "u4es not on"2 t3e re"!tions3ip of 1!rri!ge 5ut !"so ! re"!tions3ip Din t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge@% T3e 7uestion8 t3erefore8 !rises !s to 93!t is t3e 1e!ning of t3e eBpression D! re"!tions3ip in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge@% Unfortun!te"2 t3is eBpression 3!s not 5een 4efine4 in t3e A t% Sin e t3ere is no 4ire t 4e ision of t3is Court on t3e interpret!tion of t3is eBpression 9e t3in< it ne ess!r2 to interpret it 5e !use ! "!rge nu15er of !ses 9i"" 5e o1ing up 5efore t3e Courts in our ountr2 on t3is point8 !n4 3en e !n !ut3orit!ti#e 4e ision is re7uire4% '.% In our opinion P!r"i!1ent 52 t3e !fores!i4 A t 3!s 4r!9n ! 4istin tion

5et9een t3e re"!tions3ip of 1!rri!ge !n4 ! re"!tions3ip in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge8 !n4 3!s pro#i4e4 t3!t in eit3er !se t3e person 93o enters into eit3er re"!tions3ip is entit"e4 to t3e 5enefit of t3e A t%

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It see1s to us t3!t in t3e !fores!i4 A t of '--= P!r"i!1ent 3!s t!<en

noti e of ! ne9 so i!" p3eno1enon 93i 3 3!s e1erge4 in our ountr2 <no9n !s "i#e*in re"!tions3ip% T3is ne9 re"!tions3ip is sti"" r!re in our ountr28 !n4 is so1eti1es foun4 in 5ig ur5!n ities in In4i!8 5ut it is #er2 o11on in Nort3 A1eri ! !n4 Europe% It 3!s 5een o11ente4 upon 52 t3is Court in S. "2%-2011 #s% "ann(a))a* 6 Anr. $'-.-& = SCC >-- $#i4e p!r! ).&% ')% 63en ! 9ife is 4eserte48 in 1ost ountries t3e "!9 pro#i4es for

1!inten!n e to 3er 52 3er 3us5!n48 93i 3 is !""e4 !"i1on2% Ho9e#er8 e!r"ier t3ere 9!s no "!9 pro#i4ing for 1!inten!n e to ! 9o1!n 93o 9!s 3!#ing ! "i#e*in re"!tions3ip 9it3 ! 1!n 9it3out 5eing 1!rrie4 to 3i1 !n4 9!s t3en 4eserte4 52 3i1% '+% In USA t3e eBpression Dp!"i1on2@ 9!s oine4 93i 3 1e!ns gr!nt of

1!inten!n e to ! 9o1!n 93o 3!s "i#e4 for ! su5st!nti!" perio4 of ti1e 9it3 ! 1!n 9it3out 1!rr2ing 3i18 !n4 is t3en 4eserte4 52 3i1 $see Hp!"i1on2@ on Aoog"e&% T3e first 4e ision on p!"i1on2 9!s t3e 9e"" <no9n 4e ision of t3e C!"iforni! Superior Court in Mar/(n #s% Mar/(n $.;(>& .? C)4>>-% T3is !se re"!te4 to t3e f!1ous fi"1 ! tor Lee M!r#in8 9it3 93o1 ! "!42 Mi 3e""e "i#e4 for 1!n2 2e!rs 9it3out 1!rr2ing 3i18 !n4 9!s t3en 4eserte4

52 3i1 !n4 s3e "!i1e4 p!"i1on2% Su5se7uent"2 in 1!n2 4e isions of t3e Courts in USA8 t3e on ept of p!"i1on2 3!s 5een onsi4ere4 !n4 4e#e"ope4% T3e US Supre1e Court 3!s not gi#en !n2 4e ision on 93et3er t3ere is ! "eg!" rig3t to p!"i1on28 5ut t3ere !re se#er!" 4e isions of t3e Courts in #!rious St!tes in USA% T3ese Courts in USA 3!#e t!<en 4i#ergent #ie9s8 so1e gr!nting p!"i1on28 so1e 4en2ing it !"toget3er8 !n4 so1e gr!nting it on ert!in on4itions% Hen e in USA t3e "!9 is sti"" in ! st!te of e#o"ution on t3e rig3t to p!"i1on2% '=% A"t3oug3 t3ere is no st!tutor2 5!sis for gr!nt of p!"i1on2 in USA8 t3e

Courts t3ere 93i 3 3!#e gr!nte4 it 3!#e gr!nte4 it on ! ontr! tu!" 5!sis% So1e Courts in USA 3!#e 3e"4 t3!t t3ere 1ust 5e ! 9ritten or or!" !gree1ent 5et9een t3e 1!n !n4 9o1!n t3!t if t3e2 sep!r!te t3e 1!n 9i"" gi#e p!"i1on2 to t3e 9o1!n8 93i"e ot3er Courts 3!#e 3e"4 t3!t if ! 1!n !n4 9o1!n 3!#e "i#e4 toget3er for ! su5st!nti!""2 "ong perio4 9it3out getting 1!rrie4 t3ere 9ou"4 5e 4ee1e4 to 5e !n i1p"ie4 or onstru ti#e ontr! t t3!t p!"i1on2 9i"" 5e gi#en on t3eir sep!r!tion% '>% In Ta!*1r #s% F( *d- $.;?>& ''+ C!"% Rpr% .?> t3e f! ts 9ere t3!t t3e

p"!intiff T!2"or 3!4 ! re"!tions3ip 9it3 ! 1!rrie4 1!n Leo% After Leo 4ie4 T!2"or sue4 3is 9i4o9 !""eging 5re! 3 of !n i1p"ie4 !gree1ent to t!<e !re

of T!2"or fin!n i!""2 !n4 s3e "!i1e4 1!inten!n e fro1 t3e est!te of Leo% T3e Court of Appe!"s in C!"iforni! 3e"4 t3!t t3e re"!tions3ip !""ege4 52 T!2"or 9!s not3ing 1ore t3!n t3!t of ! 1!rrie4 1!n !n4 3is 1istress% It 9!s 3e"4 t3!t t3e !""ege4 ontr! t reste4 on 1eretri ious onsi4er!tion !n4 3en e 9!s in#!"i4 !n4 unenfor e!5"e% T3e Court of Appe!"s re"ie4 on t3e f! t t3!t T!2"or 4i4 not "i#e toget3er 9it3 Leo 5ut on"2 o !sion!""2 spent 9ee<en4s 9it3 3i1% T3ere 9!s no sign of ! st!5"e !n4 signifi !nt o3!5it!tion

5et9een t3e t9o% '(% Ho9e#er8 t3e Ne9 Jerse2 Supre1e Court in D /an ! #s% L7

E-8 ran9 .;= N%J%8 '+( $'--?& 3e"4 t3!t o3!5it!tion is not ne ess!r2 to "!i1 p!"i1on28 r!t3er Fit is t3e pro1ise to support8 eBpresse4 or i1p"ie48 oup"e4 9it3 ! 1!rit!" t2pe re"!tions3ip8 t3!t !re in4ispens!5"e e"e1ents to support ! #!"i4 "!i1 for p!"i1on2G% A "!9 3!s no9 5een p!sse4 in '-.- 52 t3e St!te "egis"!ture of Ne9 Jerse2 t3!t t3ere 1ust 5e ! 9ritten !gree1ent 5et9een t3e p!rties to "!i1 p!"i1on2% '?% T3us8 t3ere !re 9i4e"2 4i#ergent #ie9s of t3e Courts in U%S%A%

reg!r4ing t3e rig3t to p!"i1on2% So1e St!tes "i<e Aeorgi! !n4 Tennessee eBpress"2 refuse to re ogniJe p!"i1on2 !gree1ents%

';%

6ritten p!"i1on2 ontr! ts !re r!re8 5ut so1e US Courts 3!#e foun4

i1p"ie4 ontr! ts 93en ! 9o1!n 3!s gi#en up 3er !reer8 3!s 1!n!ge4 t3e 3ouse3o"48 !n4 !ssiste4 ! 1!n in 3is 5usiness for ! "engt32 perio4 of ti1e% E#en 93en t3ere is no eBp"i it 9ritten or or!" ontr! t so1e US Courts 3!#e 3e"4 t3!t t3e ! tion of t3e p!rties 1!<e it !ppe!r t3!t ! onstru ti#e or i1p"ie4 ontr! t for gr!nt of p!"i1on2 eBiste4% )-% Ho9e#er8 ! 1eretri ious ontr! t eB "usi#e"2 for seBu!" ser#i e is

3e"4 in !"" US Courts !s in#!"i4 !n4 unenfor e!5"e% ).% In t3e !se 5efore us 9e !re not !""e4 upon to 4e i4e 93et3er in our

ountr2 t3ere !n 5e ! #!"i4 "!i1 for p!"i1on2 on t3e 5!sis of ! ontr! t8 eBpress or i1p"ie48 9ritten or or!"8 sin e no su 3 !se 9!s set up 52 t3e respon4ent in 3er petition un4er Se tion .'= Cr%P%C% )'% So1e ountries in t3e 9or"4 re ogniJe o11on "!9 1!rri!ges% A

o11on "!9 1!rri!ge8 so1eti1es !""e4 4e f! to 1!rri!ge8 or infor1!" 1!rri!ge is re ogniJe4 in so1e ountries !s ! 1!rri!ge t3oug3 no "eg!""2 re ogniJe4 1!rri!ge ere1on2 is perfor1e4 or i#i" 1!rri!ge ontr! t is entere4 into or t3e 1!rri!ge registere4 in ! i#i" registr2 $see 4et!i"s on Aoog"e&%

))%

In our opinion ! Hre"!tions3ip in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge@ is !<in to !

o11on "!9 1!rri!ge% Co11on "!9 1!rri!ges re7uire t3!t !"t3oug3 not 5eing for1!""2 1!rrie4 E* $!& $5& $ & $4& T3e oup"e 1ust 3o"4 t3e1se"#es out to so iet2 !s 5eing !<in to spouses% T3e2 1ust 5e of "eg!" !ge to 1!rr2% T3e2 1ust 5e ot3er9ise 7u!"ifie4 to enter into ! "eg!" 1!rri!ge8 in "u4ing 5eing un1!rrie4% T3e2 1ust 3!#e #o"unt!ri"2 o3!5ite4 !n4 3e"4 t3e1se"#es out to t3e 9or"4 !s 5eing !<in to spouses for ! signifi !nt perio4 of ti1e%

$see HCo11on L!9 M!rri!ge@ in 6i<ipe4i! on Aoog"e& In our opinion ! Hre"!tions3ip in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge@ un4er t3e '--= A t 1ust !"so fu"fi"" t3e !5o#e re7uire1ents8 !n4 in !44ition t3e p!rties 1ust 3!#e "i#e4 toget3er in ! Hs3!re4 3ouse3o"4@ !s 4efine4 in Se tion '$s& of t3e A t% Mere"2 spen4ing 9ee<en4s toget3er or ! one nig3t st!n4 9ou"4 not 1!<e it ! H4o1esti re"!tions3ip@% )+% In our opinion not !"" "i#e in re"!tions3ips 9i"" !1ount to !

re"!tions3ip in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!g?e to get t3e 5enefit of t3e A t of '--=% To get su 3 5enefit t3e on4itions 1entione4 52 us !5o#e 1ust 5e s!tisfie48 !n4 t3is 3!s to 5e pro#e4 52 e#i4en e% If ! 1!n 3!s ! H<eep@ 93o1 3e

1!int!ins fin!n i!""2 !n4 uses 1!in"2 for seBu!" purpose !n4,or !s ! ser#!nt it 9ou"4 not8 in our opinion8 5e ! re"!tions3ip in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge@ )=% No 4ou5t t3e #ie9 9e !re t!<ing 9ou"4 eB "u4e 1!n2 9o1en 93o

3!#e 3!4 ! "i#e in re"!tions3ip fro1 t3e 5enefit of t3e '--= A t8 5ut t3en it is not for t3is Court to "egis"!te or !1en4 t3e "!9% P!r"i!1ent 3!s use4 t3e eBpression Dre"!tions3ip in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge@ !n4 not D"i#e in re"!tions3ip@% T3e Court in t3e gr!5 of interpret!tion !nnot 3!nge t3e

"!ngu!ge of t3e st!tute% )>% In feu4!" so iet2 seBu!" re"!tions3ip 5et9een 1!n !n4 9o1!n outsi4e

1!rri!ge 9!s tot!""2 t!5oo !n4 reg!r4e4 9it3 4isgust !n4 3orror8 !s 4epi te4 in Leo To"sto2@s no#e" DAnn! K!renin!@8 Aust!#e F"!u5ert@s no#e" DM!4!1e Bo#!r2@ !n4 t3e no#e"s of t3e gre!t Beng!"i 9riter S3!r!t C3!n4r! C3!ttop!432!2!% )(% Ho9e#er8 In4i!n so iet2 is 3!nging8 !n4 t3is 3!nge 3!s 5een

ref"e te4 !n4 re ogniJe4 52 P!r"i!1ent 52 en! ting T3e Prote tion of 6o1en fro1 Do1esti 0io"en e A t8 '--=% )?% Co1ing 5! < to t3e f! ts of t3e present !se8 9e !re of t3e opinion

t3!t t3e Hig3 Court !n4 t3e "e!rne4 F!1i"2 Court Ju4ge erre4 in "!9 in

3o"4ing t3!t t3e !ppe""!nt 9!s not 1!rrie4 to L!<s31i 9it3out e#en issuing noti e to L!<s31i% Hen e t3is fin4ing 3!s to 5e set !si4e !n4 t3e 1!tter re1!n4e4 to t3e F!1i"2 Court 93i 3 1!2 issue noti e to L!<s31i !n4 !fter 3e!ring 3er gi#e ! fres3 fin4ing in ! or4!n e 9it3 "!9% T3e 7uestion 93et3er t3e !ppe""!nt 9!s 1!rrie4 to t3e respon4ent or not !n8 of ourse8 5e 4e i4e4 on"2 !fter t3e !fores!i4 fin4ing% );% T3ere is !"so no fin4ing in t3e :u4g1ent of t3e "e!rne4 F!1i"2 Court

Ju4ge on t3e 7uestion 93et3er t3e !ppe""!nt !n4 respon4ent 3!4 "i#e4 toget3er for ! re!son!5"2 "ong perio4 of ti1e in ! re"!tions3ip 93i 3 9!s in t3e n!ture of 1!rri!ge% In our opinion su 3 fin4ings 9ere essenti!" to 4e i4e t3is !se% Hen e 9e set !si4e t3e i1pugne4 :u4g1ent of t3e Hig3 Court !n4 F!1i"2 Court Ju4ge8 Coi15!tore !n4 re1!n4 t3e 1!tter to t3e F!1i"2 Court Ju4ge to 4e i4e t3e 1!tter !fres3 in ! or4!n e 9it3 "!9 !n4 in t3e "ig3t of t3e o5ser#!tions 1!4e !5o#e% Appe!"s !""o9e4%

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$MARKANDEM KATJU&

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$T% S% THAKUR&
NE6 DELHII '.st OCTOBER8 '-.-