Sri Suresh Alias Suresh Kiran Babu v. Smt.Ankitha Alias N.Nethravathi

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE K.MANMADHA RAO REV.PET FAMILY COURT NO.168 OF 2025 BETWEEN:

SRI. SURESH ALIAS SURESH KIRAN BABU, S/O LATE GOVINDAPPA AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, R/O KUMBARAHALLI VILLAGE KASABA HOBLI, KOLAR TALUK - 563 101. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. BHASKAR C.R.,ADVOCATE) AND:

¶1SMT.ANKITHA ALIAS N.NETHRAVATHI AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS W/O SURESH D/O D.V.NANJUNDAPPA

2. MASTER HANEESH S/O SURESH AGED ABOUT 15 YEARS

3. MASTER ABHIRAM S/O SURESH AGED 10 YEARS

by G SHREERAKSHA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

PETITIONERS NOS.2 TO 3 ARE BEING MINORS & REPRESENTED BY THEIR MOTHER WHO IS THE 1ST PETITIONER

ALL ARE RESIDENTS OF KUMBARAHALLI VILLAGE KASABA HOBLI, KOLAR TALUK.

EARLIER ADDRESS RESIDENT OF NO.52-C.K.PALYA SAKALAVARA POST, BANNERGHATTA ROAD, BANGALORE RURAL -560 083. …RESPONDENTS (VIDE ORDER DATED 18/03/2026, NOTICE TO R1 IS HELD SUFFICIENT, R2 AND R3 ARE MINORS REPRESENTED BY R1)

THIS RPFC IS FILED UNDER SEC.19(4) OF THE FAMILY COURTS ACT., AGAINST THE ORDER DATED

7.01.2025 PASSED IN CRL. MISC(FC) NO.115/2020 ON THE FILE OF PRL. JUDGE, FAMILY COURT, KOLAR., PARTLY ALLOWING THE PETITION FILED UNDER SEC.125 OF Cr.P.C., FOR MAINTENANCE.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE K.MANMADHA RAO

ORAL JUDGMENT

This Revision Petition is filed under Section 19(4) of the Family Courts Act, 1984, seeking to set aside the order dated 07-01-2025 passed by the Principal Judge, Family Court, Kolar, in Crl.Misc.(FC)No.115/2020. By the impugned order, the Family Court partly allowed the maintenance petition filed by the respondents under Section 125 of the Cr.P.C., directing the petitioner to pay a monthly maintenance of Rs.5,000/- to Respondent No. 1 and Rs.3,000/- each to Respondent Nos. 2 and 3.

¶2The petitioner herein is the husband, who was the respondent before the Family Court. The respondents herein are the wife and minor children of the petitioner.

¶3For convenience of reference, the parties herein are referred to as per their ranking before this court.

¶4The facts leading to this petition are that the petitioner and respondent No. 1 were married on 01-03-2009 at Guttahalli Temple, Kolar, and subsequently were

residing at Kumbarahalli Village. Out of the wedlock, two male children - respondent Nos. 2 and 3, were born. The Respondents allege that the matrimonial relationship soured due to demands for additional dowry and physical harassment, eventually leading to their desertion by the Petitioner, who failed to provide any financial support, despite having sufficient means.

¶5In the proceedings before the Family Court, the Petitioner contested the claim on three primary grounds. Firstly, he alleged that the marriage was void ab initio as Respondent No. 1 had a subsisting marriage with one Sri Nagaraj at the time of their wedding. Secondly, he categorically disputed the paternity of the two minor children. Thirdly, he pleaded financial incapacity, stating he was a part-time driver with meager earnings and has the responsibility of caring his aged parents.

¶6Upon a comprehensive review of the evidence, the Family Court concluded that the Petitioner had willfully

neglected to maintain his family. The Court below placed reliance on documentary evidence, including birth certificates and government-issued identification such as Aadhaar and Ration cards, which consistently identified the Petitioner as the father. Furthermore, the Court drew an adverse inference against the Petitioner for his refusal to undergo a DNA test to substantiate his denial of paternity. Accordingly, the Family Court passed the impugned order.

¶7In this revision, the Petitioner reiterates that the Family Court erred in its appreciation of the evidence. He contends that Respondent No. 1 does not qualify as a "wife" under Section 125 of the Cr.P.C. due to the alleged prior marriage. He further argues that the maintenance quantum of Rs.11,000/- awarded by the Family Court, is disproportionate to his actual income and that the Family court failed to consider the inconsistencies in the testimony of Respondent No. 1 regarding their period of separation.

¶8It is a well-settled principle that the revisionary jurisdiction of this Court under Section 19(4) of the Family Courts Act is limited. This Court does not sit as a Court of Appeal to re-appreciate facts unless the findings of the lower court are shown to be perverse, illegal or suffer from a jurisdictional error. The primary objective of Section 125 Cr.P.C. is to provide a summary remedy to prevent vagrancy and destitution.

¶9Regarding the validity of the marriage, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Kamala vs. M.R. Mohan Kumar reported in 2019 (11) SCC 491 has clarified that strict proof of marriage is not a prerequisite for maintenance in summary proceedings. Given that the Petitioner admitted to the marriage ceremony and a substantial period of cohabitation, the burden was on him to prove a legally subsisting prior marriage of Respondent No. 1. Having failed to produce a marriage decree or examine the alleged first husband, the Petitioner cannot

avoid his liability on this ground in a maintenance proceeding.

¶10On the issue of paternity, the Petitioner's refusal to undergo DNA testing is a significant factor indicating a strong presumption of legitimacy for children born during a valid marriage. The Respondents produced multiple public documents affirming the Petitioner's parentage. In the absence of "non-access" evidence coupled with the Petitioner's refusal to avail scientific testing, the Family Court was justified in affirming his parental status.

¶11Be that as it may, it is the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner that respondent No.1 - wife has means to take care of her, as she is employed. In this petition, I.A.No.1/2026 is filed under Section 91 of the CPC read with Section 94 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking necessary direction to the Dean Cum Director of M/s. R.L.Jalappa Hospital and

Research Centre, Tamaka, Kolar to produce the appointment letter, Salary certificate and Bank Account Details of the respondent - wife, as the same are required to consider her earning. Therefore, accepting the reasons stated in the application as also in the light of decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Rajnesh v. Neha and another reported in (2021) 2 SCC 324, wherein it is held with regard to consideration of affidavits of disclosure of assets and liabilities, determination of financial capacity, and other relevant parameters governing grant of interim maintenance, while considering the case of awarding maintenance, I.A.No.1/2026 is allowed. Accordingly, the matter requires to be remitted back to the Family Court for consideration afresh. In the result, I pass the following:- ORDER

(i). The Revision Petition is hereby allowed and remanded back to the Family Court.

(ii). The order passed by the Principal Judge, Family Court, Kolar, in Crl.Misc.(FC)No. 115/2020 dated 07-01-2025 is set aside.

(iii). I.A.No.1/2026 seeking production of additional documents also be transmitted to the Family Court for consideration.

(iv). The Family Court, after considering the matter afresh, is directed to pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible.

(v). No order as to costs.

SD/- (DR.K.MANMADHA RAO) JUDGE

MH/- List No.: 1 Sl No.: 3