Courts in place where wife takes shelter after separation have jurisdiction in matrimonial disputes: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has held that courts in the place where a wife resides after separation have territorial jurisdiction over matrimonial cases. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna observed that the trauma and consequences of acts of cruelty “follow the wife” to her new residence.

Referring to Sections 177, 178, and 179 of the CrPC, the Court noted that when the effects of the cause of action persist in another jurisdiction, the local court can try the matter.

Exercising this principle, the Court quashed the FIR for vagueness and absence of specific allegations.

[Smt Karuna Sejpal Gupta & Ors. v. State & Anr.]