Use Video Conferencing And Other Technologically Advanced Measures In Matrimonial Cases: SC [Read Judgment]

Supreme Court of India has issued certain important guidelines to avoid the transfer of matrimonial disputes pending in Family Courts.The Bench of Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit was considering a transfer petition filed by wife seeking the transfer of divorce case filed by her husband because she cannot undertake long journey and contest the proceedings at Jabalpur by neglecting her minor. Question is whether this can be avoided?” And passed the following order; “We are prima facie of the view that we need to consider whether we could pass a general order to the effect that in case where husband files matrimonial proceedings at place where wife does not reside, the court concerned should entertain such petition only on the condition that the husband makes appropriate deposit to bear the expenses of the wife as may be determined by the Court. In other cases, the husband may take proceedings before the Court in whose jurisdiction the wife resides which may lessen inconvenience to the parties and avoid delay. The Bench directed that wherever one or both the parties make a request for use of video conference, proceedings may be conducted on video conferencing, obviating the needs of the party to appear in person.