Kumari Navteya Minor v. Devi Singh

IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA

CMPMO No.484 of 2023

Decided on: 14.09.2026

Kumari Navteya (minor)

….Petitioner

Versus

Devi Singh

...Respondent

Coram

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Romesh Verma, Judge

Whether approved for reporting?

For the petitioner: Mr.Mohar Singh, Advocate.

For the respondent: Mr.Karan Singh Kanwar, Senior Advocate with Mr. Manish Kumar, Advocate.

Romesh Verma, Judge (oral)

The instant petition has been filed by the present petitioner, Kumari Navteya, minor daughter of Devi Singh, challenging the award passed by the Lok Adalat on 13.05.2023.

2.

The learned Lok Adalat, after recording the statement of Smt.Pinky, wife of Shri Devi Singh and natural guardian of minor Kumari Navteya, disposed of the petition on the basis of the statement made by Shri Devi Singh that he shall pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- per month as maintenance to the present petitioner. The said statement was duly signed by Smt.Pinky, natural guardian of the minor, before the learned Lok Adalat on 13.05.2023.

3.

The only grievance raised by the present petitioner before this Court is that the order passed by the learned Lok Adalat should be construed to have been passed from the date of filing of the application, i.e., 07.10.2020, instead of from the date of passing of the order by the learned Lok Adalat on 13.05.2023.

4.

Today, Shri Devi Singh is present in Court and he submits that he is ready to pay the amount of maintenance at the rate of Rs.10,000/- per month to his minor daughter, Kumari Navteya, from the date of filing of the application, i.e., 07.10.2020, and he shall clear the outstanding arrears of maintenance within a period of five months from today, positively.

5.

It is further contended on behalf of the respondent, Shri Devi Singh, that he may be permitted to meet his minor daughter every month, especially on the fourth Sunday and that the petitioner be directed not to cause any hindrance or obstruction in this regard.

6.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, on instructions, submits that the petitioner has no objection in case the respondent is allowed to meet his minor daughter on every fourth Sunday of the calendar month.

7.

Accordingly, the respondent is permitted to meet his minor daughter at 11:30 AM on each and every fourth Sunday of the calendar month. The duration of the meeting shall be two hours. The petitioner is directed not to create any obstruction during the meeting between the respondent and his minor child. The venue of the meeting shall be mutually fixed one day prior to the scheduled meeting and the parties may interact telephonically for the said purpose.

8.

On the basis of the statement made by the present respondent, Shri Devi Singh, nothing remains to be adjudicated in the present proceedings and without touching the merits of the case, the present petition is disposed of on the basis of the statement recorded separately as made by the present respondent, Shri Devi Singh.

9.

It is made clear that none of the parties shall violate the terms and conditions of this order, failing which against the erring party, appropriate action under the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act shall be initiated.

10.

With these directions, the present petition stands disposed of along with pending application(s), if any.

( Romesh Verma )

Judge

14th August, 2026

(vt)