1. By this petition under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution, the petitioner has challenged the judgment and order dated 25th January, 2006 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Vadodara in Criminal Appeal No.16/2003 confirming the order dated 7th May, 2003 passed by the learned Civil Judge (S.D.) in the application Exhibit 263 filed by the petitioner in H.M.P. Petition No.382/1999 whereby the learned Judge has turned down the request of the petitioner to register complaint against the respondents No.2 and 3 herein for the offence punishable under sections 193, 195, 196, 199, 200 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code.
2. The facts of the case stated briefly are that the second respondent preferred an application under section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 being H.M.P. No.382/1999 in the court of the learned Civil Judge (S.D.), Vadodara on 19th October, 1999. In the said proceedings, the petitioner herein moved an application Exh.263 under section 340 and 195 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Code') on 15th March, 2003 contending that the second respondent herein had filed the application under section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act for a decree of divorce. During the course of the trial, for the purpose of obtaining divorce from the applicant the second respondent as well as his witness Gordhanbhai Chhotalal Brahmbhatt (respondent No.3 herein) have submitted false facts before the court knowing the same to be false and as such, have adduced false evidence before the court for the purpose of obtaining divorce based upon such false facts. It was the case of the petitioner that marriage between the petitioner and the second respondent took place on 4th June, 1994 according to Hindu rites and rituals as per the custom of their community at “Dayal Nivas”, Vadodara. The marriage rites were solemnised by Pradyuman Ganpatram Dave and the said fact was stated by him before the court in his deposition Exh.127 wherein he had stated that the marriage between the petitioner and the second respondent was solemnised as per Hindu rites and rituals by performing the ceremonies of Hasta-melap, Saptapadi etc. in the presence of witnesses and family members of the parties and that photographs of the wedding were also taken. All the photographs of the marriage ceremony were also produced at Exh.128. Further details regarding the marriage ceremony have been set out in the application. It is alleged that despite the fact that the respondents No.2 and 3 were aware of all the aforesaid true facts, and despite the fact that the marriage had taken place in their presence, for the purpose of obtaining divorce from the petitioner, in the petition (Exh.1) it was stated that “upon the health of the respondent's father improving, on 4th June, 1994 they were invited to the house of the petitioner for a 'katha' pursuant to which the second respondent, that is, Shaileshbhai and his father, mother, brother and sister had gone there and that at that time, he was made to sit with the petitioner in the pooja ceremonies and at such time, photographs were taken and a facade was created as if a marriage had taken place as per the Hindu rites and rituals and thereafter the petitioner had been sent to her matrimonial home by her father.” That for the purpose of proving that the said facts are correct and for obtaining divorce on the basis thereof, the second respondent had, in his deposition at Exh.30, stated that on 4th June, 1994, upon his being invited to remain present at the 'katha', he, his parents, brother and sister had gone to the house of the petitioner where he was made to sit with the petitioner in pooja ceremonies and photographs were taken to create an impression that a marriage had taken place as per the Hindu rites and rituals.
That in his deposition at page 31, it is further stated that the marriage of the parties had not taken place in B-10, Dayal Nivas, Parimal Society. It is, accordingly, alleged that the second respondent for the purpose of obtaining divorce has stated false facts before the court and that the third respondent has with a view to help him in obtaining divorce has in his deposition at Exh.58 stated the same things.
3. It is further stated in the application that previously there were other court cases between the petitioner and the second respondent. One of the cases was Criminal Application No.326/1995 which was filed by the petitioner for maintenance. In the said case the second respondent had filed a reply which is produced at Exh.40 wherein at page No.2, it has been stated that the marriage between the parties took place at Vadodara. Further, at Exh.143, there is an application of the second respondent wherein also it is stated that there is no dispute that their marriage had taken place at Vadodara and that they were residing at Vadodara as husband and wife. A complaint, being Criminal Complaint No.598/1997, has also been filed in the court of the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class at Vadodara under section 498A and 114 of the Indian Penal Code wherein statements had been recorded under section 313 of the Code. At page No.2 thereof a question had been put to the second respondent, wherein, in reply to the question as to what he wanted to say as regards the say of the petitioner that “on 4.6.94 she had to marry the accused Shaileshbhai as per Hindu rites and rituals and the other accused had remained present”, he had replied that the same was true. At page No.7 he was asked as to what he wanted to say about the photographs in the album, in reply to which Shaileshbhai had stated that they are photographs of the wedding. Similarly, the statement of the third respondent was also recorded under section 313 of the Code and upon being asked the above questions he had given answers as above. It was, accordingly, urged that thus, second and third respondents have given false evidence on oath before the court. Despite the fact that they very well knew that the said facts are false, they had represented before the court that such facts are true and with the purpose of obtaining divorce from the applicant (the petitioner herein), intentionally the petitioner-Shaileshbhai and witness Gordhanbhai had used the same and had abetted each other, which act is an offence punishable under sections 193, 196, 199, 200 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code, hence it has been prayed that complaint be lodged against them through the court.
4. Initially, by an order dated 22nd March, 2003, the learned Civil Judge (S.D.), Vadodara ordered that the application be decided alongwith the main matter.
5. By a judgment and order dated 7th May, 2003, the learned Civil Judge (S.D.), Vadodara dismissed the petition presented by the respondent No.2 under section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act. As regards the application (Exhibit 263) for prosecuting the respondents No.2 and 3, the learned Judge after appreciating the evidence on record observed that in the present case, it is not the case of the second respondent that the petitioner is not his wife. That on a perusal of the deposition (Exh.30) of the second respondent, it is his case that on the day when the registration form was signed, that is, on 3rd May, 1994 and the marriage was registered, at that point of time, the marriage had not taken place as per Hindu rites and rituals. The learned Judge further observed that it was an accepted position that on the day when the marriage registration form was signed, no marriage had taken place as per the Hindu rites and rituals. It was further observed that the second respondent had put up a case before the court that on 4th June, 1994 an invitation was received by him to attend a 'katha' held at the house of the petitioner's father pursuant to which he (the second respondent), his father, mother, brother and sister had gone to the house of the petitioner where he (the second respondent) and the petitioner were made to sit in the pooja ceremony of the 'Katha' and photographs were taken in such a manner so as to create an impression that a marriage had taken place between the parties in accordance with the Hindu rites and rituals and that the petitioner was then sent to her matrimonial home on 4th June, 1994. Whereas it is the case of the petitioner that on 4th June, 1994, marriage between the parties had taken place in accordance with the Hindu rites and rituals. The learned Judge observed that when the second respondent had submitted his petition, the petitioner herein was required to submit her response thereto and the parties were to lead their evidence. In this case, both the parties have submitted pleadings and on the basis of the evidence on record, what is required to be adjudicated at best, is as to whether the second respondent was entitled to the relief claimed in the petition. The learned Judge placed reliance upon the findings in relation to issue No.1 and observed that the petitioner was not entitled to the relief claimed in the application as there was no valid ground for allowing the application Exh.263. Being aggrieved, the petitioner went in appeal before the learned District and Sessions Judge, Vadodara under section 341 of the Code. By the impugned order dated 25th January, 2006, the learned Additional Sessions Judge rejected the application. Being aggrieved, the petitioner has filed the present petition challenging the aforesaid orders passed by the courts below.
6. The petitioner, Shilpaben Kanubhai Brahmbhatt, who appeared in person, vehemently assailed the impugned order passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge by submitting that the facts on record clearly reveal that the respondents No.2 and 3 had knowingly and wilfully given false evidence before the court with the intention that such evidence should be used in that proceeding. Attention was invited to the deposition of the second respondent at Exh.30 in the proceedings before the trial court to point out that he has stated in his evidence that they were invited to the house of the petitioner on 4th June, 1994 for a religious function and then photographs of the petitioner and second respondent were taken. It was submitted that the respondents No.2 and 3 had further stated in their deposition that no such marriage was performed as per the Hindu customs and traditions between the petitioner and the second respondent. Attention was also invited to the statements of the second and third respondents recorded under section 313 of the Code in the proceedings of Criminal Case No.598/1997 wherein the second and third respondents in reply to the question as to whether the marriage between the petitioner and the second respondent had taken place on 4th June, 1994 in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals, had stated that it was true. It was pointed out that in response to the question as regards the say of the petitioner that after the ceremony as per the Hindu rites and rituals had taken place, on the same day she had gone to reside with him, the second respondent had said that the same was correct. Reference was made to several questions with reference to the marriage ceremony which were put to the second and third respondents while recording their statements under section 313 in response to which they had replied that the said facts were true. Great stress was also laid upon the question whereby the second respondent was asked as to what he wanted to say about the photographs in the album, in response to which he had said that the photographs were of the marriage. It was submitted that both, the second as well as the third respondent had, in their statements under section 313, accepted the factum of the marriage having taken place in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals whereas in their depositions before the court in the divorce proceedings, they had stated that the marriage was not solemnised in accordance with the Hindu rites and rituals and as such, had deliberately and knowingly given false evidence.
6.1 Attention was also invited to the depositions of other witnesses who were examined during the course of the divorce proceedings, viz., Pradyuman Ganpatram Dave (Exh.127), Vasudev Ramanlal Gandhi (Exh.145), Truptiben Ashokkumar Brahmbhatt (Exh.149) all of whom had stated that the marriage between the second respondent and the petitioner had been performed as per their customs and traditions and that the parents of the second respondent and other relatives were also present at the time of the marriage, which fact was corroborated by the photographs in the album.
6.2 Attention was drawn to the deposition of the second respondent at Exh.30 to submit that he had stated therein that no marriage had taken place on 4th June, 1994 at B-10, Dayal Nivas, Parimal Society. Referring to the marriage photographs annexed alongwith the petition it was pointed out that the name plate on door of the house outside which the wedding had taken place clearly shows the name 'Dayal Nivas'. It was submitted that in the reply filed by him in the maintenance application, viz., Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.326/1995, the second respondent had admitted that the marriage between the parties was solemnised at Vadodara. Attention was also invited to the deposition of the third respondent wherein similar statements have been recorded to submit that both, the second respondent as well as the third respondent, have knowingly and wilfully given false evidence before the trial court with a view to enable the second respondent to obtain a decree of divorce against the petitioner.
6.3 It was submitted that both the courts below have failed to appreciate the evidence on record in proper perspective and more particularly have failed to consider the allegations made by the petitioner. The case of the petitioner is that the second and third respondents have denied the solemnization of the marriage and not that they have said that it was not in accordance with the religious rites and rituals. It was submitted that the denial by the respondents regarding solemnization of the marriage was, therefore, false evidence. The observation made by the learned Judge that the second respondent has not disputed that the petitioner was his wife does not take into consideration the above case of the petitioner. It was submitted that the second and third respondents have stated in their deposition that a marriage like ceremony had taken place whereas the court after appreciating the evidence on record has believed that a marriage has in fact taken place in accordance with the Hindu rites and rituals on 4th June, 1994. Thus, the respondents had adopted a stand which has not been believed by the courts below and the court has found that the marriage had, in fact, taken place in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals which clearly falsifies the case of the second and third respondents that a marriage like ceremony had taken place. It was submitted that when the second respondent had denied the marriage having taken place, the court below had erred in observing that there was no dispute as regards the marriage having been solemnised between the parties.
6.4 Drawing the attention of the court to various provisions of the Indian Penal Code in respect of which accusations have been made against the second and third respondents, it was submitted that in the facts and circumstances of the present case, section 193 I.P.C. is clearly attracted as the second and third respondents have knowingly given false evidence in a judicial proceeding. As regards the provisions of section 196 I.P.C., it was submitted that the second and third respondents have stated that they had been invited for a 'katha' wherein an impression was created that a marriage has taken place, knowing full well that what was stated by them was false. Under the circumstances, section 196 I.P.C. which provides that whoever corruptly uses or attempts to use as true or genuine evidence any evidence which he knows to be false or fabricated would clearly be applicable. As regards the applicability of the provisions of section 199 I.P.C., it was submitted that the second respondent in the petition filed by him under section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act had stated facts regarding the marriage which are totally false, hence, the said section would also be clearly attracted. For the same reason, it was submitted that section 200 I.P.C., which provides that whoever corruptly uses or attempts to use as true any declaration knowing the same to be false in any material point, shall be punished in the same manner as if he is giving false evidence, would also be attracted in the facts of the present case. It was submitted that the very premise on which the divorce petition was filed is false inasmuch as the entire case of the second respondent was based upon the fact that the marriage had not taken place in accordance with the religious rites and rituals. It was submitted that the second respondent with a malafide intention does not accept the marriage that had taken place on 4th June, 1994 and seeks declaration that the marriage which was registered on 3rd May, 1994 as invalid. Thus, it is evident that the intention of the second respondent is to mislead the court with the intention to deprive the petitioner of maintenance. It was urged that once the court has held that the marriage had taken place as per the Hindu rites and rituals, as a necessary corollary, the fact that the second and third respondents have given false evidence during the court proceeding stands established and hence, the rejection of the application made by the petitioner is contrary to the provisions of law.
6.5 The petitioner, next invited the attention of the court to the impugned judgment and order passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge wherein he has recorded that when Shaileshbhai stated that his marriage had taken place but not in accordance with the Hindu rites and rituals, the same means that the marriage had been registered, however, religious rites had not been solemnised; that the petitioner herself has accepted that on the day when the marriage was registered, no marriage ceremony had taken place; moreover, Shilpaben's (the petitioner’s) brother also states that a ceremony akin to a marriage ceremony has taken place; besides, the learned Civil Judge (S.D.) has in his judgment stated that a perusal of the photographs of the marriage shows that the same lacks necessary sacred fire and myra which disproves the case of the opponent that Saptapadi has taken place; that in the light of the aforesaid position, when Shaileshkumar and his father state that the marriage has not taken place, it cannot be believed that they are stating false statements on facts. It was emphatically argued that the learned Additional Sessions Judge has recorded incorrect findings of fact inasmuch as there are no such findings recorded by the trial court. It was submitted that thus the very basis of the findings recorded by the learned Additional Sessions Judge are erroneous findings of facts and as such, the impugned judgment and order passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge is required to be quashed and set aside and the application made by the petitioner is required to be allowed.
6.6 It was further submitted that the learned Additional Sessions Judge has not referred to the evidence on record in proper perspective and has not made any reference to the statements made under section 313 of the Code in the criminal proceedings in respect of the offence under section 498A I.P.C. In support of her submissions, the petitioner placed reliance upon the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Chandrapal Singh and others v. Maharaj Singh and another, AIR 1982 SC 1238, for the proposition that when it is alleged that a false statement has been made in a declaration which is receivable as evidence in any court of justice or before any public servant or other person, the statement alleged to be false has to be set out and its alleged falsity with reference to the truth found in some document has to be referred to pointing out that the two situations cannot co-exist, both being attributable to the same person and, therefore, one to his knowledge must be false. It was submitted that in the facts of the present case, the second respondent as well as the third respondent, in their statements under section 313 of the Code have accepted the factum of marriage as well as marriage having taken place in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals whereas in their depositions in the divorce proceedings, they have stated that no marriage ceremony had taken place and that a ceremony akin to a marriage ceremony had taken place. It was submitted that the statement under section 313 of the Code clearly falsifies the testimony given by the second and third respondents during the course of trial of the petition filed under section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act. Thus, the two situations, viz., in terms of the statements under section 313 and in terms of the depositions in the divorce proceedings cannot co-exist, both being attributable to the same persons. Hence, it is proved that the statements made by the second and third respondents in their deposition are false to their knowledge.
6.7 Reliance was placed upon the decision of a Division Bench of this court in the case of M/s. Hasmukh D. Desai & Co. v. Bhimbhai Ranchhodji Vashi, 1985 (2) G.L.R. 644, for the proposition that an admission by a party in a plaint signed and verified by him in a prior suit is an admission within the meaning of section 17 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and may be proved against him in other litigations. It was, accordingly, submitted that there is a very clear pronouncement of this court that admissions by a party in a previous proceeding may be used against him in other suits. It was, therefore, permissible for the petitioner herein to place reliance upon the statement made under section 313 of the Code in the divorce proceedings. The decision of the Supreme Court in the case of State of Gujarat v. Vinayachandra Chhotalal Pathi, 1967 (8) G.L.R. 140, was cited for the proposition that a statement given by an accused under section 313 of the Code is an admission and is admissible in evidence to prove the admissions in respect of the said facts. In conclusion, it was urged that both the courts below have failed to appreciate the case of the petitioner in proper prospective and as such, the impugned orders passed by the courts below are required to be quashed and set aside and the application made by the petitioner under section 195 read with section 340 of the Code deserves to be allowed.
7. Vehemently opposing the petition, Mr. Gaurang Patel, learned advocate for the second and third respondents submitted that the petitioner has not come to the court with clean hands inasmuch as she has produced documents which are convenient and supporting her case and has not produced all the documents or material documents produced before the trial court. It was submitted that it is an admitted position by both the parties that though the marriage was registered on 3rd May, 1994, no marriage ceremony had taken place at that time. The fact that it was merely registration of marriage was a finding of fact recorded by the trial court in the judgment passed in the Hindu Marriage Petition. The so called marriage ceremony took place subsequently on 4th June, 1994. It was submitted that to say the marriage did not take place at all and to say that marriage was not solemnised according to the Hindu rites and rituals are two different things. Therefore, merely because the petitioner says that the second and third respondents have given false evidence, the same should not be accepted as true inasmuch as the deposition has to be read as a whole and not in isolation. It was submitted that the deposition has to be read in the context of the question put to the deponent and that one cannot pick one sentence here and there and interpret the same in the manner one likes. It was emphatically argued that the trial court has not recorded any finding to the effect that the respondents No.2 and 3 have given any false evidence, under the circumstances, no offence can be said to have been committed under section 195 of the Code. It was submitted that on the basis of the deposition given by the second respondent, it cannot be said that he has given false evidence and that it was for the trial court and the appellate court to arrive at a conclusion as to whether or not the second and third respondents have given false evidence. According to the learned counsel, in the absence of any finding by the courts below on the falsehood of the evidence, a mere allegation made by the petitioner that the second and third respondents have given false evidence would not amount to giving false evidence. It was argued that if the contentions advanced by the petitioner were to be accepted, there would be a flood of cases inasmuch as in each and every case where a person whose deposition is not believed or his version is not believed by the civil court or criminal court, he would have to be prosecuted on the ground that he has given false evidence. It was submitted that merely because the second respondent has failed to prove his case does not mean that he is required to be prosecuted under section 195 of the Code. It was contended that in all cases, the plaintiffs try to prove their case by leading evidence and the defendants try to resist the case of the plaintiffs and the courts give their findings after appreciating the evidence on record. However, that does not mean that the party that failed to prove his case has given false evidence. It was argued that it is the trial court which can judge the falsehood of the averments made before it. However, in the facts of the present case, the trial court has not come to the conclusion that the second and third respondents have led any false evidence before the trial court and as such, the very application made by the petitioner for prosecuting them is misconceived in law as well as on facts and as such, the courts below were justified in rejecting the same.
7.1 Next, it was submitted that it is a well-founded principle of law that a statement of an accused under section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is not taken on oath. Not only that, the accused is not a witness. In the circumstances, whatever is stated in proceedings under section 313 of the Code cannot be used for the purpose of filing a complaint under section 195 of the Code. It was submitted that reliance sought to be placed by the petitioner upon the statement recorded under section 313 of the Code is misconceived inasmuch as sub-section (3) thereof in clear terms lays down that the accused shall not render himself liable to punishment by refusing to answer such questions, or by giving false answers to them.
7.2 Inviting attention to the findings recorded by the trial court, it was submitted that it was the case of the second respondent that though the marriage was performed, it was not according to the Hindu rites and rituals. It was urged that if the second respondent wanted to contend that no marriage had taken place, he would have filed a suit for annulment of the marriage by a decree of nullity as envisaged under section 12 of the Hindu Marriage Act. However, he had filed a petition for dissolution of the marriage by a decree of divorce which is indicative of the fact that it was his case that though the marriage was solemnized, it was not in accordance with the Hindu rites and rituals. It was, accordingly, urged that the approach adopted by both the courts below is just, legal and proper. Neither the second nor the third respondent have given any false evidence, and as such no case is made out for granting the application Exhibit 263 made by the petitioner under section 340 read with section 195 of the Code.
7.3 In support of his submissions, the learned counsel placed reliance upon the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Chandrapal Singh v. Maharaj Singh (supra) for the proposition that acceptance or rejection of evidence by itself is not a sufficient yardstick to dub the one rejected as false. Falsity can be alleged when truth stands out glaringly and to the knowledge of the person who is making the false statements. Day in and day out in courts averments by one set of witnesses are accepted and the counter averments are rejected. If in all such cases, complaints under section 199 I.P.C. are to be filed, not only would it open up floodgates of litigation but it would unquestionably be an abuse of the process of the court.
7.4 Reliance was also placed upon the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Santokh Singh v. Izhar Hussain and another, AIR 1973 SC 2190. It was, accordingly, submitted that in the absence of any finding recorded by the courts below to the effect that there is any falsity in the statements made by the second and third respondents, no case is made out for grant of the relief prayed for in the petition and the petition deserves to be dismissed.
8. In the backdrop of the facts and contentions noted hereinabove, the question that arises for consideration is as to whether on the facts and in the circumstances of this case, any case is made out for prosecuting the second and third respondents under sections 193, 196, 199, 200 and 114 I.P.C. as prayed for by the petitioner.
9. Before adverting to the facts of the case, reference may be made to the relevant statutory provisions. Section 195 of the Code makes provision for prosecution for contempt of lawful authority of public servants, for offences against public justice and for offences relating to documents given in evidence and, inter alia, lays down that no court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under any of the following sections of the Indian Penal Code, viz., sections 193 to 196 (both inclusive), 199, 200, 205 to 211 (both inclusive) and 228, when such offence is alleged to have been committed in, or in relation to, any proceeding in any court except on a complaint in writing of that court or by such officer of the court as that court may authorise in writing in this behalf, or of some other court to which that court is subordinate. Section 340 of the Code provides for the procedure in cases mentioned under section 195 and lays down that when upon an application made to it in this behalf or otherwise, any court is of the opinion that it is expedient in the interests of justice that an inquiry should be made into any offence referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 195, which appears to have been committed in or in relation to a proceeding in that court or, as the case may be, in respect of a document produced or given in evidence in any proceeding in that court, such court may after such preliminary inquiry, if any, as it thinks fit (a) record a finding to that effect; (b) make a complaint thereof in writing; and (c) send it to a Magistrate of the first class having jurisdiction etc. In the present case, the petitioner in connection with the alleged false statements made on oath in the court proceedings, has filed the above referred application (Exh.263) seeking prosecution of the second and third respondents through the court for the offences punishable under sections 193, 196, 199, 200 and 114 I.P.C.
10. From the contents of the application (Exh.263) made by the petitioner which have been reproduced extensively hereinabove, it is apparent that it is the case of the petitioner that the second and third respondents stated contradictory facts in their statements under section 313 of the Code in the criminal proceedings as well as in the maintenance proceedings filed by the petitioner and in the testimony given by them in the proceedings of the petition filed under section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act. According to the petitioner, though the second and third respondents, in their depositions recorded on oath in the divorce proceedings, have stated that upon health of the petitioner's father improving on 4th June, 1994, they were invited to attend a 'katha' at the house of the petitioner which the second respondent attended alongwith his parents and brother and sister and at that time, the second respondent and the petitioner were made to sit in the pooja ceremonies and photographs were taken to depict that a marriage in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals had taken place, after which the petitioner was sent by her father to her matrimonial home. The second respondent has further deposed that his marriage had not taken place at B-10, Dayal Nivas, Parimal Society. The third respondent has also stated similar facts in his deposition. It is, thus, the case of the petitioner that the second and third respondents have made false statements on oath which they knew to be untrue. The basis for saying so is that in the statements of the second and third respondents recorded under section 313 of the Code in Criminal Case No.326/1995, the second and third respondents had accepted that the wedding had taken place at Vadodara and in response to the question as to whether the marriage had taken place in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals, they had answered in the affirmative and had also stated that there is no dispute that the marriage had taken place at Vadodara.
11. As can be seen from the judgment and decree passed by the trial court, insofar as the application Exhibit 263 is concerned, it has recorded its findings from paragraph 19 thereof. The trial court has found that it is not the case of the petitioner therein (the second respondent) that the opponent (the petitioner herein) is not his wife. It is recorded that the case of the second respondent was that on 3rd May, 1994 when the marriage registration form was signed and the same was registered on that day no marriage had been solemnised in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals and that the petitioner had also in her deposition accepted that she had signed the marriage registration form on 3rd May, 1994 and on that date no marriage ceremony had taken place. The case of the second respondent is that on 4th June, 1994 they were invited for a “katha” to the house of the petitioner and that the second respondent and the petitioner were made to sit in the pooja and photographs were taken so as to create a show that a marriage has taken place between them in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals and that the petitioner’s father had sent her to the second respondent’s home. Whereas it is the case of the petitioner that the marriage had taken place at the father’s home in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals. The trial court has further observed that the court after considering the pleadings and the evidence led before it is required to decide as to whether the petitioner is entitled to the relief prayed for. Having regard to the reasons stated by it while deciding issue No.1, viz., “Whether the applicant proves that the marriage between the parties had taken place without following procedure provided for registration of marriage?” the trial court was of the view that there was no just and proper reason for entertaining the application made by the petitioner under section 340 and 195 of the Code and accordingly rejected the same. The court also rejected the prayer of the second respondent made in the application Exhibit 264 filed by him seeking filing of a complaint against the petitioner herein. The trial court observed that while doing so it was following the decision of the Supreme Court reported in AIR 1982 SC 1238, viz. Chandrapal Singh v. Maharaj Singh (supra).
12. The learned Additional Sessions Judge has in the impugned judgment observed that the petitioner had during the course of the H.M.P. case admitted that when the marriage was registered on 6th May, 1994 at that time no marriage ceremony had taken place. Apart from that, the letter written by the petitioner’s brother to the petitioner has been placed on record vide exhibit 50, upon perusal of the same it does not appear that the second respondent and his father have given false evidence. Shilpaben’s (the petitioner’s) brother has stated that a marriage like ceremony has taken place. If a marriage has taken place, Shilpaben’s brother would say that a marriage has taken place and not that a marriage like ceremony has taken place. Moreover, the learned Civil Judge has held that in the absence of the sacred fire as well as chori (mayru) from the photograph at exhibit-128 it appears that the say of Shilpaben that saptapadi had taken place is disproved. That the learned Civil Judge has held that the second respondent had proved that the marriage has been registered without following any rites and rituals as provided in the Hindu shastras and without the saptapadi in the presence of the sacred fire. The learned Additional Sessions Judge further observed that it is the case of the petitioner that on the one hand the second respondent and his father have said that marriage had taken place, whereas on the other hand they have stated that marriage ceremony had not taken place; that on the one hand, it has been stated that marriage has not taken place in accordance with the religious rites and rituals whereas in the other set of statements, it has been stated that marriage has taken place in accordance with the Hindu rites and rituals, thus, for giving such contradictory statements, a case should be instituted against the second respondent and his father. The learned Additional Sessions Judge was of the view that there is so much similarity between the fact that marriage has not taken place in accordance with the religious rites and the fact that marriage had not taken place that the same cannot be stated to be a false deposition on oath. If the marriage has not taken place in accordance with religious rites, then the second respondent and his father would state in their deposition that marriage had not taken place. That the marriage has not taken place is one fact whereas the marriage has not taken place in accordance with religious rites and rituals is another fact. Both these facts cannot be stated to be self-contradictory. Thus, if marriage has not taken place in accordance with religious rites and ceremonies then in that case if at one place the second respondent and his father say that marriage has not taken place and another place they say that marriage has taken place, then it can be believed that it is the case of the second and third respondents that even if the marriage has not taken place in accordance with religious rites and ceremonies, a marriage has in fact taken place. The learned Additional Sessions Judge was of the opinion that the fact as to whether a marriage had taken place in accordance with religious rites and rituals or that the marriage has otherwise taken place is a question of belief. Merely because the second and third respondents have stated that marriage has not taken place in accordance with religious rites and ceremonies, it cannot be stated that they are deliberately giving false evidence. Moreover, upon a perusal of the Hindu Marriage Petition, it is apparent that it is not the case of the second respondent that marriage has not taken place, it is his case that marriage has not taken place in accordance with religious rites and rituals.
13. The initial part of the findings recorded by the learned Additional Sessions Judge have been vehemently assailed by the petitioner by submitting that the same are contrary to the record, inasmuch as the letter Exhibit 50 is a letter written by the petitioner to her brother and not vice versa as stated by the learned Judge. Referring to the findings recorded in respect of issue No.1 by the trial court, it was pointed out that the observations made by the learned Additional Sessions Judge that the second respondent had proved that the marriage had not taken place in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals is false on the face of the record, inasmuch as the said issue is answered in the negative, that is in favour of the petitioner. A perusal of the record of the case indicates that the grievance voiced by the petitioner is justified, inasmuch as the said findings recorded by the learned Additional Sessions Judge are contrary to the record of the case. However, what is required to be seen is as to whether the said findings would have any bearing on the ultimate conclusion arrived at by the learned Additional Sessions Judge.
14. As noted hereinabove, the main plank of the submissions of the petitioner is that the second and third respondents have given false evidence on oath knowing that the same is false. That the factum of the falsity of their evidence is proved by the contradictory statements made by the second and third respondents in their statements under section 313 of the Code as well as in other proceedings filed by the petitioner. The case of the petitioner is that the Hindu Marriage Petition lodged by the second respondent has been dismissed by the trial court by holding that the second respondent had not established his case. As a necessary corollary, it emerges that the trial court having accepted the case of the petitioner that marriage ceremony had actually taken place in accordance with the religious rites and rituals, which clearly indicates that the second and third respondents had made false averments on oath to the effect that a marriage like ceremony had been performed and that no marriage had actually taken place.
15. On a perusal of the judgment and decree passed by the trial court in the Hindu Marriage Petition, it is apparent that the trial court has held in favour of the petitioner and has not granted a decree of divorce. However, in the entire judgment and decree, no finding has been recorded by the trial court to the effect that the second and third respondents have given false evidence on oath. It is true that the trial court has thought it fit to believe the version of the petitioner that a marriage had actually taken place in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals and disbelieved the case of the second respondent, however, no finding has been given to the effect that the second and third respondents had made any false averments on oath. Similarly, the lower appellate court in the impugned judgment has also not recorded any finding to the effect that the second and third respondents have made any false statements on oath.
16. It may also be pertinent to note that the proceedings in which the alleged false statements have been made are in the nature of civil proceedings under the Hindu Marriage Act by way of a petition under section 13 of the said Act. It is settled legal position that in civil proceedings, the courts decide matters on a preponderance of probability. Upon appreciating the evidence on record, the court after weighing the evidence would on a preponderance of probabilities decide the case in favour of one party or the other. The mere fact that the court holds in favour of one party does not establish that the case of the other party is false. Thus, the fact that the trial court has thought it fit to accept the case of the petitioner and has declined to grant a decree of divorce does not tantamount of the trial court having found that the depositions given by the second and third respondents are false to their knowledge. The Apex Court in the case of Chandrapal Singh v. Maharaj Singh (supra) on which reliance has been placed by the petitioner has while stating that the falsity of a case can be decided with reference to the truth found in some other document pointed out that two situations cannot co-exist, both being attributable to the same person. In the very same decision, the court has held that acceptance or rejection of evidence by itself is not a sufficient yardstick to dub one rejected as false. Falsity can be alleged when truth stands out glaringly and to the knowledge of the person who is making the statement.
17. In the facts of the present case, what is stated by the second and third respondents is that though a marriage had taken place, it was not in accordance with the religious rites and rituals. A perusal of the record of the case indicates that it is nowhere the case of the second respondent that no marriage had taken place between him and the petitioner. The entire case of the second respondent is that on 4th June, 1994, they had been invited to the house of the petitioner for a 'katha' ceremony wherein they were made to sit during the ceremony and an impression was created as if a marriage had taken place. However, at no point of time has the second respondent ever denied the factum of marriage between him and the petitioner.
18. It is true that in the statement under section 313 of the Code, the second and third respondents have answered the query in respect of the say of the petitioner that the marriage had taken place in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals in the affirmative. Thus, while on one hand there are statements on oath made by the second and third respondents in the proceedings of the Hindu Marriage Petition wherein they were subjected to cross-examination, on the other hand, there are bare statements of the said respondents as accused under section 313 of the Code in the criminal proceedings. Therefore, the statements under section 313 of the Code cannot be given more weightage than the testimony on oath so as to hold that the testimony on oath is false as the same is contrary to the statements made under section 313 of the Code.
19. Insofar as a statement under section 313 of the Code is concerned, the object underlying the said section is to enable the accused to explain any circumstance appearing against him in the evidence and this object is based on the maxim of audi alteram partem which is one of the principles of natural justice. It has always been regarded unfair to rely upon any incriminating circumstance without affording the accused an opportunity of extending the said incriminating circumstance. The provisions of section 313, therefore, make it obligatory on the court to question the accused on the evidence and circumstances appearing against him so as to apprise him of the exact case which he is required to meet.
Section 313 is mainly intended to benefit the accused and as its corollary to benefit the court in reaching the final conclusion. The provision is not intended to nail him to any position but to comply with the most salutary principle of natural justice enshrined in the maxim audi alteram partem. Moreover, the statements made under section 313 of the Code cannot be read out of context inasmuch as in the said proceedings, the second and third respondents were merely giving their reply in relation to the queries put to them under section 313 of the Code and not that any positive statement had been made by them on oath as in the case of their depositions in the proceeding under the Hindu Marriage Petition. Under the circumstances, the contention that since the evidence on oath is contradictory to the statement under section 313 of the Code, the statement made on oath should be disbelieved and it should be held that the second and third respondents have given false evidence on oath, does not merit acceptance. The mere fact that the trial court has not thought it fit to believe the version of the second and third respondents, does not tantamount to acceptance by the trial court that the statements made by the said respondents are false to their knowledge. In the light of the above discussion this court is of the view that the incorrect findings recorded by the learned Additional Sessions Judge as noted hereinabove would not vitiate the ultimate conclusion arrived at by him.
20. At this juncture it may be germane to refer to the provisions of the Indian Penal Code which have been invoked by the petitioner against the respondents No.2 and 3 so as to examine the applicability thereof to the facts of the present case. Section 193 I.P.C. deals with punishment for false evidence and states that whoever intentionally gives false evidence in any stage of a judicial proceeding, or fabricates false evidence for the purpose of being used in any stage of a judicial proceeding, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. In the facts of the present case, in the absence of any finding recorded by the trial court to the effect that the second and third respondents had given false evidence, it is not possible to state that the said provision would be attracted.
21. Section 195 I.P.C. makes provision for giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment. From the very title of the said provision, it is apparent that the same would not be attracted in the present case inasmuch as the alleged false evidence has been given in civil proceedings and not with the intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment. Under the circumstances, the said provision would clearly not be attracted in the facts of the present case.
22. As regards the applicability of section 196 I.P.C., the same deals with using evidence known to be false. Thus, for the very same reasons as stated in respect of the applicability of section 193 I.P.C., the said provision would also not be attracted. Section 199 I.P.C. deals with false statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence. In the present case, in the absence of any finding of fact to the effect that the second and third respondents had made any declaration which is false and which they knew or believed to be false touching any material point to the object for which the declaration was made, the said provision would not be attracted. For the same reasons, section 200 I.P.C., which provides for using as true such declaration knowing it to be false also would not be attracted. Thus, none of the provisions of the Indian Penal Code which are sought to be invoked against the second and third respondents would be attracted in the facts of the present case. Under the circumstances, no infirmity can be found in the impugned orders passed by the courts below in declining to entertain the application made by the petitioner under section 340 read with section 195 of the Code.
23. In the result, the petition fails and is accordingly dismissed. Rule is discharged.
( Harsha Devani, J. ) hki