Wife Living Separately Since 18 Yrs Due To Brutality: MP High Court Dismisses Husband's "Missing Person" Complaint With 10K Cost

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently imposed Rs 10,000 cost on a man seeking directions to trace out his missing wife and children, allegedly missing since 2006.

Justice Vishal Dhagat found that the petitioner was fully aware that his wife had left him due to his abusive behavior.

"The wife of the petitioner informed this court that her husband used to beat her and her sons mercilessly, therefore, she left his house in the year 2006. Petitioner is well aware of said facts and his brutality. She is not living with her husband for last 18 years. Knowing said facts fully well, the petitioner has filed this petition abusing the process of court," it observed.

The cost is directed to be deposited with the Madhya Pradesh High Court Employees Association within 30 days.

In his petition, Petitioner requested that the police be directed to search for his wife and sons, who had purportedly vanished from their home in Kharpadia village, Balaghat district, on April 18, 2006. However, after police efforts and subsequent court proceedings, it was revealed that his wife had left their home voluntarily to escape Petitioner's "merciless" abuse towards her and their children. She had not been living with him for the last 18 years. She was forced to leave the matrimonial home along with her two sons in 2006 to save their lives, the woman told the court.

Upon hearing the case, the court found that Petitioner had deliberately abused the legal process by filing the petition, knowing well that his wife had left due to his misconduct.

Case title: Nandkishore Rahangdale Versus The State Of Madhya Pradesh And Others

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (MP) 187

Case No: WP-17892-2024

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