Procedure
Full Text
(1) Proceedings under section 144 may be taken against any person in any district— (a) where he is; or (b) where he or his wife resides; or (c) where he last resided with his wife, or as the case may be, with the mother of the illegitimate child; or (d) where his father or mother resides.
(2) All evidence in such proceedings shall be taken in the presence of the person against whom an order for payment of maintenance is proposed to be made, or, when his personal attendance is dispensed with, in the presence of his advocate, and shall be recorded in the manner prescribed for summons-cases.
Provided that if the Magistrate is satisfied that the person is wilfully avoiding service, or willfully neglecting to attend the Court, the Magistrate may proceed to hear and determine the case ex parte and any order so made may be set aside for good cause shown on an application made within three months from the date thereof subject to such terms including terms as to payment of costs.
(3) The Court in dealing with applications under section 144 shall have power to make such order as to costs as may be just.
Plain English Summary
Section 145 defines the jurisdiction and procedure for maintenance cases. It allows filing in districts where the person is, where the wife/parents reside, or where they last lived together. It also permits ex-parte orders.
Key Legal Elements
- Flexible jurisdiction based on residence of respondent, wife, or parents
- Evidence recording procedure equivalent to summons-cases
- Authority to pass ex-parte orders if service is wilfully avoided
- Three-month window to apply for setting aside an ex-parte order
- Power of the Court to award costs in maintenance proceedings
Practical Note
The flexible jurisdiction is designed to favor the person seeking maintenance (wife/child/parent), allowing them to file where it is most convenient for them to live.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) धारा 144 के तहत कार्यवाही किसी भी जिले में की जा सकती है— (क) जहाँ वह व्यक्ति है; या (ख) जहाँ वह या उसकी पत्नी रहती है; या (ग) जहाँ उसने आखिरी बार अपनी पत्नी या अवैध संतान की माँ के साथ निवास किया था; या (घ) जहाँ उसके पिता या माता रहते हैं।
(2) ऐसी कार्यवाहियों में सभी साक्ष्य उस व्यक्ति (या उसके अधिवक्ता) की उपस्थिति में लिए जाएंगे और उन्हें समन-मामलों (summons-cases) के लिए निर्धारित तरीके से दर्ज किया जाएगा।
परंतु यदि मजिस्ट्रेट संतुष्ट है कि व्यक्ति जानबूझकर तामील से बच रहा है या अदालत में उपस्थित नहीं हो रहा है, तो मजिस्ट्रेट एकपक्षीय (ex parte) सुनवाई कर सकता है। ऐसे आदेश को तीन महीने के भीतर आवेदन करने पर उचित कारणों के आधार पर रद्द किया जा सकता है।
(3) धारा 144 के तहत आवेदनों को निपटाने के दौरान न्यायालय के पास लागत (costs) के संबंध में आदेश देने की शक्ति होगी।