High Court Kerala High Court

Ramachandran vs Kumari on 14 July, 2009

Kerala High Court
Ramachandran vs Kumari on 14 July, 2009
       

  

  

 
 
  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

RPFC.No. 42 of 2007()


1. RAMACHANDRAN, S/O.LATE RAMAN,
                      ...  Petitioner

                        Vs



1. KUMARI, AGED 30 YEARS, D/O.RAMANKUTTY,
                       ...       Respondent

2. RESHEMA (MINOR, AGED 9 YEARS)

3. RAJESH (MINOR) AGED 7 YEARS,

4. RAHUL (MINOR) AGED 4 YEARS,

                For Petitioner  :SRI.M.SHAJU PURUSHOTHAMAN

                For Respondent  :SRI.VINOD KUMAR.C

The Hon'ble MR. Justice THOMAS P.JOSEPH

 Dated :14/07/2009

 O R D E R
                          THOMAS P.JOSEPH, J.
               = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
                            R.P(FC). NO.42 of 2007
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                    Dated this the 14th day of July,    2009

                                   O R D E R

————–

This revision is in challenge of the order granting maintenance in

favour of respondent Nos.1 to 4, wife and three children of petitioner.

Learned counsel for petitioner submits that he is only challenging the

quantum of maintenance awarded to respondent No.1 in this revision.

2. It is admitted that petitioner is the husband of respondent

No.1 and father of respondent Nos.2 to 4. Respondents alleged that

petitioner subjected respondent No.1 to mental and physical cruelty

and harassment and neglected and refused to maintain respondents.

Petitioner in turn alleged unchastity to respondent No.1. He claimed

that respondent No.1 is having 25 cents of land and produced Ext.D1

to prove the same. Exhibit D2 is the copy of the settlement of

account between himself and respondent No.1 produced to show that

he had deposited Rs.1,00,000/- in the account of respondent No.1 on

4.1.2001. Exhibit D2 revealed that there was such a deposit on

4.1.2001 but there was no evidence to show that the deposit was

made by the petitioner. That amount was withdrawn by respondent

No.1 as per two cheques. Court below found that respondents are

R.P(FC) No.42 of 2007
-: 2 :-

entitled to get maintenance from petitioner. What remained for

consideration is only whether the amount awarded to respondent No.1

is excessive or beyond the capacity of petitioner.

3. To respondent No.1, wife aged 30 years Rs.500/- is

awarded. I am not inclined to think that the amount awarded is

excessive. So far as capacity of petitioner to pay maintenance is

concerned, respondents were not able to prove that he has landed

property as stated by them. Petitioner claimed that he is a coolie

earning at the rate of Rs.60/- per day. When examined as C.PW.1 he

stated that his daily income is Rs.100/-. Assuming that he is a coolie

by occupation, considering the labour charges prevailing in this part of

the State, I am not inclined to think that the amount awarded is

beyond his capacity. An able bodied man must be presumed to be

capable of earning. Petitioner has that capacity. I do not find reason

to interfere with the impugned order at the instane of petitioner.

Revision is without merit and is liable to be dismissed.

Revision Petition is dismissed.

THOMAS P.JOSEPH, JUDGE.

vsv