Crlm Nos. 789/202 vs Mohan Singh on 6 March, 2026

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    Jammu & Kashmir High Court

    Crlm Nos. 789/202 vs Mohan Singh on 6 March, 2026

                                                                                     2026:JKLHC-JMU:734
    
    
                                              Sr. No. 100
         HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH
                         AT JAMMU
                                     Case No.: CRM(M) No. 444/2020
                                               CrlM Nos. 220/2022, 1709/2020,
                                              1710/2020 & 1711/2020
                                               c/w
                                               CRM(M) No. 279/2021
                                               CrlM Nos. 789/2021, & 790/2021
    
                                                  Reserved on:-   13.02.2026
                                                  Pronounced on:- 06.03.2026
                                                   Uploaded on: - 06.03.2026
                                           Whether the operative part
                                           or full judgment is pronounced Full
    
    Sarita Devi                                                     .... Petitioner(s)
    
                            Through: -       Mr. Jasbir Singh Jasrotia, Adv.
    
                      V/s
    
    Mohan Singh
                                                                 .....Respondent(s)
    
                            Through: -       Mr. Vishal Kapur, Advocate.
    
    CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY PARIHAR, JUDGE
                                      JUDGMENT
    

    1. The present judgment shall dispose of two connected petitions.

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 has been filed by the petitioner-wife

    SPONSORED

    laying challenge to the order dated 03.11.2020 passed by Principal

    Sessions Judge, Ramban (hereinafter referred to as “the Revisional

    Court”), whereby the order dated 29.06.2020 passed by the Chief

    Judicial Magistrate, Ramban “the trial court” in proceedings under

    Section 488 Cr.P.C was set aside. CRM(M) No. 279/2021 has been

    preferred by the respondent, calling in question the order directing

    deduction of ₹5,35,192/- from his salary at the rate of ₹20,000/- per

    month till realization.

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 1 of 17

    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    2. Briefly stated, the parties were married in the year 1990 and one

    son was born out of the wedlock, who by now has already attained

    majority. The petitioner alleged that the respondent contracted a

    second marriage, whereupon she instituted proceedings under

    Sections 494/109 RPC along with a petition under Section 488

    Cr.P.C. before the Court of Sub-Judge, Ramban. On 28.08.1995,

    the parties entered into a compromise, in pursuance whereof the

    wife withdrew the complaint and the maintenance petition upon

    receipt of ₹10,000/- as full and final settlement. The proceedings

    were accordingly dismissed as withdrawn. It is also alleged that a

    customary divorce (farakhtnama) was executed and thereafter the

    parties started living separately.

    3. Subsequently, the petitioner filed an application on behalf of her

    minor son seeking maintenance in the year 2003 which was settled

    before Lok Adalat with the respondent agreeing to pay ₹300/- per

    month till the child attained majority. In later proceedings,

    maintenance was enhanced to ₹600/ and in terms of another order

    dt.31.07.2007 same was enhanced to Rs.1000/-per month w.e.f 1.1.

    2007.In all subsequent proceedings she only claimed maintenance

    for her minor child and projected herself as a divorcee.

    4. On 29.06.2007, the petitioner lodged a fresh complaint alleging

    bigamy. FIR No. 86/2007 was registered and charge-sheet filed

    before the Court of Sessions Judge, Ramban. The said court, taking

    into account the earlier compromise dated 28.08.1995 and invoking

    Section 403 Cr.P.C., discharged the respondent vide order dated

    31.12.2007.

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 2 of 17

    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    5. Thereafter, on 14.03.2008, the petitioner filed a fresh petition

    under Section 488 Cr.P.C. without disclosing the earlier

    proceedings. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ramban, vide order

    dated 07.12.2011 dismissed the petition holding that the petitioner

    had failed to establish subsistence of marital relationship and that

    the respondent had placed sufficient material to show dissolution

    of marriage by mutual/customary divorce.

    6. The petitioner challenged the said order in revision. The Sessions

    Judge, Ramban, vide order dated 07.12.2012, set aside the

    dismissal and remanded the matter with directions to either call

    upon the respondent to seek determination of dissolution of

    marriage from a competent Court or frame an issue regarding the

    existence and proof of customary divorce and permit the parties to

    lead evidence and decide the matter afresh.

    7. During the pendency of the proceedings after remand, the matter

    was referred to Lok Adalat and on 23.11.2013 the parties entered

    into a settlement whereby the respondent agreed to pay ₹2,50,000/-

    as full and final permanent alimony and the marriage was to stand

    dissolved. The amount was to be paid by 20.12.2013. On account

    of non-payment, the petitioner challenged the Lok Adalat award in

    writ proceedings and the same was set aside, directing the trial

    Court to decide the maintenance petition afresh.

    8. Upon reconsideration, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ramban, vide

    order dated 29.06.2020 allowed the petition and directed the

    respondent to pay maintenance at ₹2,000/- per month from the date

    of filing of petition i.e. 14.03.2008 with 10% annual enhancement.

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 3 of 17

    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    9. The respondent preferred a revision petition, which was allowed by

    Principal Sessions Judge, Ramban vide order dated 03.11.2020,

    holding that the parties were living separately by mutual consent

    and therefore the petitioner was disentitled to maintenance under

    Section 488(5) Cr.P.C.

    10. Ld. counsel for the petitioner contended that there was no proof of

    lawful dissolution of marriage; that customary divorce was neither

    proved nor established in terms of law; that in absence of a decree

    of divorce, the petitioner continued to be legally wedded wife; and

    that the Revisional Court travelled beyond its jurisdiction in

    reappreciating evidence. Reliance has been placed upon the

    judgment of the Supreme Court in “Shail Kumari Devi v. Krishan

    Bhagwan Pathak (2008) 9 SCC 632″, to contend that revisional

    jurisdiction cannot be exercised as if it were appellate jurisdiction.

    Further reliance is placed on the Division Bench judgment of this

    Court in “Vijay Kumari v. Ashwani Kumar, AIR 2021 J&K 74″,

    wherein it has been held that statutory right of maintenance cannot

    be waived by private agreement as it is founded on public policy.

    11. Per contra, ld. Counsel for the respondent argued that the petitioner

    had unequivocally admitted separation by way of customary

    divorce; that she had lived separately since 1995 and revived the

    claim only after the respondent secured Government employment;

    and that the evidence on record clearly established that the parties

    were living separately by mutual consent. Reliance is placed upon

    Popat Kashinath Bodke v. Kamalabai Popat Bodke, 2003 2

    MHLJ 608 and Vitthal Hiraji Jadhav v. Harnabai Vitthal Jadhav,

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 4 of 17
    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    2003 3 Civil CC 412 to contend that where parties are living

    separately by mutual agreement, maintenance cannot be granted.

    12. Having considered the rival submissions and upon examining the

    records of both the trial and revisional courts, there is not any

    dispute on the settled law that custom must be specifically pleaded

    and strictly proved. The earlier remand order dated 07.12.2012 had

    directed framing of an issue regarding proof of customary divorce.

    The record reveals that no cogent evidence was led to establish

    existence of a valid custom governing divorce in the community

    and both of the courts below have affirmed this position. In

    absence of proof of such custom or decree of divorce from

    competent Court, the marital tie cannot be said to have been

    lawfully severed.

    13. However, Section 488(5) Cr.P.C. independently disentitles a wife

    from maintenance if she is living separately by mutual consent.

    The material on record reflects that the petitioner withdrew earlier

    proceedings upon compromise dated 28.08.1995; admitted

    separation in subsequent proceedings; sought maintenance for the

    child describing herself as divorced; and remained separate for

    over a decade. These circumstances were taken into account by the

    Revisional Court.A close examination of the record reveals that the

    petitioner withdrew earlier proceedings upon compromise dated

    28.08.1995 after accepting ₹10,000/- as full and final settlement. In

    subsequent proceedings pertaining to maintenance of the minor

    child, she described herself as divorced. She remained separate

    from the respondent for more than a decade without asserting any

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 5 of 17
    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    subsisting marital rights. These are not isolated statements but

    consistent representations forming part of judicial record.

    14. It is not in dispute that in the earlier round of litigation, the Trial

    Court, vide order dated 07.12.2011, had categorically recorded a

    finding that on the strength of the agreement executed between the

    parties, they had mutually agreed to dissolve the matrimonial tie

    and were residing separately by consent. The said finding was

    based upon the admitted conduct of the parties and the terms of the

    settlement arrived at between them.

    15. When the matter travelled in revision, the Revisional Court, while

    restoring the petition vide order dated 15.12.2013, did not disturb

    or set aside the specific finding of the Trial Court that the parties

    were living separately by mutual consent. The Revisional Court

    merely directed the Trial Court to decide the petition afresh in

    accordance with law. The remand was thus limited in scope and

    did not obliterate the earlier factual determination regarding

    consensual separation.

    16. It is a settled principle that an admission constitutes substantive

    evidence against its maker unless satisfactorily explained.

    In “Narayan Bhagwantrao Gosavi Balajiwale v. Gopal Vinayak

    Gosavi, 1960 1 SCR 773″, the Hon’ble Supreme Court held that

    admissions, if clear and unequivocal, are the best evidence against

    the party making them, though not conclusive, and shift the burden

    upon the maker to explain them. In the present case, the petitioner

    had earlier withdrawn proceedings, accepted monetary settlement,

    described herself as divorced, and remained separate for a

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 6 of 17
    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    considerable period. These acts constitute clear admissions of

    consensual separation.

    17. Since the impugned order passed by the Revisional Court has

    reversed the order of maintenance granted by the Magistrate, it

    becomes necessary to restate the settled legal position governing

    the scope of revisional jurisdiction in proceedings under Section

    488 Cr.P.C. Such a proceedings are summary and preventive in

    nature, intended to provide a swift remedy against destitution. The

    Magistrate is not required to adjudicate intricate questions of

    matrimonial law or validity of marriage in strict sense. His inquiry

    is limited to a prima facie satisfaction as to whether the parties

    were married, whether they lived together as husband and wife,

    and whether the husband neglected or refused to maintain the wife

    during the subsistence of such relationship. In Sethurathinam v.

    Barbara, (1970) 1 SCWR 589, the Supreme Court held that once

    affirmative evidence exists on these aspects, the Magistrate need

    not enter into complicated questions of sacramental validity or

    personal law compliance, which fall within the exclusive domain

    of the civil court. If evidence raises a presumption that the

    applicant is the wife, that is sufficient for the purpose of

    maintenance proceedings.

    18. The Supreme Court in Rajathi v. C. Ganesan, AIR 1999 SC 2374,

    further clarified that Section 125 Cr.P.C. proceeds on de facto

    marriage and not marriage de jure. The validity of marriage in its

    strict legal sense is not a ground to deny maintenance if other

    statutory ingredients are satisfied. Equally well settled is the

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 7 of 17
    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    limitation on revisional interference. In Santosh (Smt.) v. Naresh

    Pal, (1998) 8 SCC 447, and Parvathy Rani Sahu v. Bishnu Sahu,

    (2002) 10 SCC 510, as reiterated in AIR 2011 SC 755, it was held

    that a revisional court cannot reassess evidence and substitute its

    own findings in place of the Magistrate’s positive findings of fact.

    Only where the finding is negative and results in serious

    consequences to the wife or child can the revisional court re-

    evaluate the evidence to test the legal sustainability of the order.

    Ordinarily, therefore, a positive order granting maintenance should

    not be disturbed unless shown to be perverse or manifestly illegal.

    19. In the present case, it is admitted that the marriage between the

    parties was solemnized in the year 1990 and that they have a son. It

    is also not in dispute that earlier proceedings under Section 488

    Cr.P.C. and under Section 494 RPC were compromised on

    28.08.1995, where the petitioner made a statement on oath that she

    had received ₹10,000/- as full and final settlement and that she

    would not pursue further proceedings. A document of “farkhati”

    was executed, and thereafter the parties admittedly lived

    separately. Significantly, from 1995 till 2003 the petitioner did not

    claim maintenance for herself. When she filed proceedings for

    maintenance of her minor son in 2003 and again in 2007 seeking

    enhancement, she described herself as having been divorced by the

    respondent in terms of the earlier settlement. These admissions

    have not been denied.

    20. Both the Trial Court and the Sessions Court have concurrently held

    that the respondent failed to prove the existence of a valid custom

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 8 of 17
    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    permitting dissolution of marriage by way of “farkhati”. Under the

    J&K Hindu Marriage Act 1980, marriage between Hindus can only

    be dissolved by a decree of divorce in accordance with statutory

    provisions, unless a specific custom is pleaded and strictly proved.

    Mere execution of a settlement deed dated 28.08.1995, therefore,

    could not by itself dissolve the marriage. In this respect, the

    concurrent finding that customary divorce was not proved does not

    call for interference.

    21. However, the crucial question is distinct from dissolution of

    marriage, namely, whether the petitioner established neglect and

    refusal on the part of the respondent and whether she was living

    separately for sufficient cause or by mutual consent. The law is

    equally settled that if spouses enter into an agreement to live

    separately on permanent basis and such agreement is acted upon,

    Section 488(5) Cr.P.C. disentitles the wife from claiming

    maintenance if she is living separately by mutual consent. Courts

    have consistently held that even if such an agreement does not

    amount to a valid dissolution of marriage, it can be relied upon to

    ascertain the intention of parties and the nature of separation.

    22. In the case at hand, the conduct of the petitioner assumes decisive

    importance. She withdrew earlier proceedings after acknowledging

    settlement. She did not seek restitution of conjugal rights. For

    several years she did not claim maintenance for herself. In

    subsequent proceedings she repeatedly asserted that she had been

    divorced. The respondent, acting on that understanding, contracted

    a second marriage. Though the petitioner initiated criminal

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    proceedings under Section 494 RPC, those proceedings did not

    culminate in conviction. These admitted facts indicate that the

    parties had acted upon the settlement and were living separately on

    the strength of that arrangement.

    23. Even assuming that the marriage legally subsisted for want of

    proof of custom, the petitioner cannot be permitted to approbate

    and reprobate by asserting divorce in earlier proceedings and later

    claiming desertion. The principle of estoppel by conduct would

    operate against her. Her consistent admissions in judicial

    proceedings that she was divorced and living separately disentitle

    her from now asserting that she was deserted without cause.

    Maintenance under Section 488 Cr.P.C. is conditional upon proof

    of neglect or refusal, and where separation is by mutual consent,

    the statutory bar under sub-section (5) applies.

    24. In 1998 Criminal Law Journal 4749, where the wife had earlier

    compromised her claim for maintenance by executing an

    agreement and receiving a consolidated amount in lieu of future

    maintenance, it was held, relying upon the Division Bench

    judgment reported in 1990 MLJ 81 (Bombay High Court), that

    once such an agreement was voluntarily entered into and acted

    upon, the wife could not subsequently re-agitate a claim for

    maintenance. The Trial Court having declined maintenance on the

    strength of the agreement, and the Sessions Court having affirmed

    the same, it was observed that no illegality or perversity was

    committed by the Courts below.

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 10 of 17

    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    25. Similarly, in 2003 Vol. 2 Crimes 300, dealing with cases involving

    execution of a farkhatnama (mutual separation agreement), the

    Court held that the true nature of such a document must be

    discerned from its language, intention and surrounding

    circumstances. It was observed that where spouses execute an

    agreement clearly expressing their intention to reside separately by

    mutual consent, and such agreement has been acted upon with

    appropriate provision for maintenance or settlement, the bar under

    Section 125(4) Cr.P.C. would operate. Consequently, if separation

    is by mutual consent, the wife would not be entitled to claim

    maintenance from the date of such agreement, provided the

    arrangement has been implemented in letter and spirit.

    26. In Manju Ramchandani v. Manish Ramchandani, the High Court

    of Madhya Pradesh examined a case where the Family Court had

    recorded a finding regarding an agreement of dissolution of

    marriage between the parties. The High Court clarified that a

    marriage solemnized under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 can be

    dissolved only by a decree of divorce under the Act, including by

    mutual consent under Section 13-B. Although Section 29(2) saves

    customary divorce, such custom must be specifically pleaded and

    proved. The agreement relied upon by the husband could not

    dissolve the marriage in absence of proof of custom. However, the

    Court held that such agreement was admissible to show that the

    parties were living separately by mutual consent. On appreciation

    of evidence, the Court upheld the finding that the wife had left the

    matrimonial home without sufficient cause and that both parties

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 11 of 17
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    had agreed in a Panchayat to live separately. Consequently,

    maintenance was denied under Section 125(4) Cr.P.C., and the

    revisional jurisdiction was not invoked to interfere with concurrent

    findings of fact.

    27. Likewise, in “Dharampal v. Shakun Bai“, the High Court of

    Chhattisgarh dealt with a case where the husband relied upon an

    agreement evidencing mutual consent for dissolution of marriage

    and full and final settlement of alimony. On factual appreciation,

    the High Court concluded that the wife was not entitled to

    maintenance, and the findings of the Family Court were neither

    perverse nor illegal. The said judgment was carried in challenge

    before the Hon’ble Supreme Court by way of SLP No. 7524/2019,

    which came to be dismissed on 09.07.2024, thereby affirming the

    view taken by the High Court.

    28. Thus, from the aforesaid judicial pronouncements, the principle

    that emerges is that while an agreement per se may not dissolve a

    statutory marriage unless backed by a decree under the Hindu

    Marriage Act or by a proved custom, such agreement is certainly

    relevant to determine whether the parties are residing separately by

    mutual consent. If it is found, on appreciation of evidence, that the

    spouses have voluntarily agreed to live apart and the agreement has

    been acted upon with due settlement of rights and liabilities, the

    bar under Section 488(5) Cr.P.C. would disentitle the wife from

    claiming maintenance thereafter. Conversely, if neglect and refusal

    on the part of the husband is established and separation is not by

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    mutual consent, the statutory right to maintenance would subsist

    notwithstanding any informal arrangement.

    29. The Sessions Court, while agreeing that customary divorce was not

    proved, returned a finding that the parties were living separately by

    mutual consent and that the petitioner had failed to establish

    neglect or refusal. This finding was based on documentary record

    and admissions of the petitioner herself. It cannot be characterized

    as perverse or as an impermissible substitution of findings. Rather,

    it represents a legally sustainable appreciation of conduct and

    evidence within the permissible scope of revisional scrutiny.

    30. Thus, although the marriage may not have stood dissolved in strict

    legal sense, the petitioner’s long-standing conduct, admissions and

    acquiescence demonstrate that she was residing separately by

    mutual consent and not on account of proved neglect.

    Consequently, the interference by the Revisional Court does not

    appear to suffer from any jurisdictional error warranting further

    interference.

    31. There is no dispute to the fact that in terms of the agreement dated

    28.08.1995, the parties got separated and in lieu thereof, the

    respondent provided ₹10,000/- as lump sum alimony in the shape

    of future allowance to the petitioner and thereafter until 2008, there

    was no cause pleaded by her for either enhancement of that lump

    sum allowance or to seek any remedy of grant of maintenance,

    assuming that she continued to be the legally wedded wife

    irrespective of the dissolution of the marriage dated 28.08.1995.

    It is also an admitted case of the parties that after second round of

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 13 of 17
    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    litigation started in the year 2008, both the parties had in terms of

    settlement dated 23.11.2013, agreed that the respondent would

    provide ₹2.5 lac as final settlement. This appears to have been

    based because at the time of initial settlement of 1995, the

    respondent was unemployed and subsequently appeared to have

    got appointed in Government service, thereby raising his financial

    capacity. It was in that background, he agreed to pay ₹2.5 lacs,

    though the same as per the petitioner could not materialize because

    the respondent chose not to clear that liability, forcing her to

    challenge the settlement by way of writ petition and subsequently

    the order of mutual settlement was set aside. The said settlement

    was not challenged by the respondent, in fact, challenge was

    thrown by the petitioner, meaning thereby that the respondent too

    had consciously felt that the earlier settlement of ₹10,000/- was too

    meagre to satisfy the case of the petitioner and it was in that

    background that he proposed to pay allowance of ₹2.5 lacs to the

    petitioner. The Division Bench of this Court in case titled,

    Vijay Kumari v. Ashwani Kumar (supra) has held that there was a

    settlement between the parties, that resulted into consent decree of

    divorce and the wife was allowed permanent alimony @ ₹1000/-

    per month. After ten years, the wife moved an application to the

    Matrimonial Court for enhancement of the alimony by taking

    recourse to Section 31 of the J&K Hindu Marriage Act, 1980,

    which application was declined by the Matrimonial Court and even

    also rejected by the Single Bench of this Court and when the matter

    landed before the Division Judge of this Court, it opined that wife’s

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 14 of 17
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    right to future maintenance is a matter of public concern, which she

    cannot barter away even if there is, inter-se, agreement between the

    parties. In that background, it was held that she is entitled to

    maintain an application for enhancement, as contemplated under

    Section 31 of the J&K Hindu Marriage Act. Thus, the wife was

    permitted to apply for enhancement of alimony.

    32. Taking guidance from the aforesaid citation and bearing in mind

    the pendency of the present petitions filed under Section 482 of the

    Cr.P.C, this Court has already returned a finding that the

    Revisional Court was justified in holding that the petitioner was

    not entitled to maintenance under Section 488 of the Cr.P.C., as

    she had been living separately by mutual consent, thereby

    disentitling her from claiming maintenance in view of Sub-Section

    (5) of Section 488 of the Cr.P.C. However, such a finding does not

    absolve the Court from remaining conscious of the circumstances

    and necessities which the petitioner may presently be facing. It is

    borne out from the record that the petitioner has been living

    separately since the year 1995 and had a son from the wedlock,

    who is now stated to be married. The petitioner appears to have no

    independent source of income and is stated to be dependent upon

    the earnings of her son for sustenance. In the absence of any

    legally recognized dissolution of marriage between the parties, the

    civil status of the petitioner remains that of a legally wedded wife

    of the respondent. Had the petitioner been vigilant in asserting her

    rights at the appropriate stage, the agreement executed in the year

    1995 would not have operated as an impediment in seeking

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 15 of 17
    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    maintenance from her husband. Such an agreement, even if

    executed by consent between the parties, could not have the effect

    of overriding the statutory entitlement provided under the law. It is

    well settled that a private agreement cannot defeat or nullify the

    operation of statutory provisions meant to secure maintenance and

    prevent destitution, particularly when such arrangements may run

    contrary to public policy.

    33. It is precisely in this backdrop that Section 31(2) of the J&K Hindu

    Marriage Act assumes significance, as the said provision

    contemplates the possibility of changed circumstances over a

    period of time, including escalation in the cost of living and the

    inability of a spouse to maintain herself with the amount earlier

    settled. The legislative intent behind such a provision is to ensure

    that the economic realities faced by a dependent spouse are duly

    addressed. Viewed in that perspective, the conduct and intention of

    the parties in the subsequent round of litigation also assume

    relevance. The respondent, who was earning, had agreed to pay an

    amount of ₹2.50 lakhs in addition to the sum of ₹10,000/- already

    paid in the year 1995, as a full and final settlement. Significantly,

    the respondent never withdrew his consent to the said settlement.

    The arrangement, however, failed to materialize on account of the

    petitioner challenging the award of the Lok Adalat before this

    Court on the ground that the amount had not been paid within the

    stipulated time.

    34. In order to advance the cause of justice and to prevent the

    petitioner from falling into a state of vagrancy, this Court, while

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 16 of 17
    2026:JKLHC-JMU:734

    exercising its inherent jurisdiction to achieve substantial justice,

    considers it appropriate to direct the respondent to pay a sum of

    ₹2.50 lakhs to the petitioner as a one-time settlement. The said

    amount shall be paid by the respondent within a period of six

    months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. In

    the event of failure to comply within the stipulated period, the

    petitioner shall be entitled to recover the said amount along with

    interest at the rate of 6% per annum until its realization in full.

    35. As per the record, the respondent had already deposited an amount

    of ₹1.50 lakhs, out of which a sum of ₹50,000/- has been released

    in favour of the petitioner. As reported by the Registry, an amount

    of ₹1,40,091/- is presently lying in the form of an FDR. The said

    amount, along with the interest accrued thereon, shall stand

    released in favour of the petitioner. The remaining balance, if any,

    shall be paid by the respondent in the manner and within the time

    frame indicated hereinabove. In view of the foregoing discussion,

    the impugned order passed by the Revisional Court does not call

    for any interference by this Court. Accordingly, CRM(M) No.

    444/2020 stands dismissed. Consequently, CRM(M) No. 279/2021

    also stands dismissed, having been rendered infructuous upon the

    dismissal of the former petition.

    36. Disposed off alongwith all connected applications.

    (SANJAY PARIHAR)
    JUDGE
    JAMMU
    06.03.2026
    Ram Krishan
    Whether the order is speaking? Yes
    Whether the order is reportable? Yes

    CRM(M) No. 444/2020 c/w CRM(M) No. 279/2021 Page 17 of 17



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