Reconciliation In Matrimonial Matters Before Family Court Not Permissible Through Video Conferencing: Andhra Pradesh HC Reiterates

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has reiterated that reconciliation proceedings between a married couple before the Family Court are to be conducted in the personal presence of both parties and video conferencing in such a case is impermissible. Referring to Supreme Court's decision in Santhini v. Vijaya Venkatesh, Justice Ravi Nath Tilhari held: "I am of the considered view that in view of the law laid down by the Hon'ble the Apex Court in Santhini: for the purposes of reconciliation in matrimonial matters before the Family Courts video conferencing is not permissible, and it is only after the efforts of reconciliation and settlement fails, the videoconferencing can be resorted on the joint application filed by the parties or the memorandum of consent by both the parties, husband and wife, for such videoconferencing, in the discretion of the Court, if the Court considers it appropriate." The order was passed in a Criminal Revision Petition, filed by an aggrieved husband, whose petition to conduct reconciliation proceedings by way of video conferencing was dismissed. In Santhini the Supreme Court stated that video conferencing "may be permitted only after the settlement fails, on the joint application of the parties or on their respective consent memo, if the Family Court feels it appropriate".