Kanoon Ki Dastak
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Srinagar has strongly criticized the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Pulwama, for the prolonged delay in deciding a maintenance petition filed under Section 125 CrPC, observing that such proceedings are intended to provide swift relief to a wife unable to maintain herself.
Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul noted that the petition, filed in December 2019, has remained pending despite being listed for final arguments multiple times. The Court pointed out that the Trial Court has been repeatedly granting adjournments without sufficient cause, thereby defeating the very object of Section 125 CrPC.
Emphasizing that proceedings under this provision are summary in nature, the High Court directed the Trial Court to decide the pending application within one month.
Additionally, the Court sought an explanation from the Trial Court for the inordinate delay and directed both parties to appear before it on June 3, 2025.