Heard learned counsel for the petitioner.
A very peculiar suit has been filed in the court below by the petitioner.
The plaint of the suit which is annexure-1 to the petition reveals that the petitioner, who is plaintiff in the suit alleges that his marriage was agreed to be solemnized with respondent No.2 but now it appears that she is likely to marry someone else and therefore, a decree of permanent injunction be passed restraining her from marrying any other person except the petitioner.
It is against the order of the court in the above suit directing notices to be issued to the other side before considering the matter for grant of interim injunction that the petitioner has invoked the writ jurisdiction of this court.
I am quite astonished at the relief which has been claimed in the suit. The suit ex facie appears to be against public policy and as such is implidely barred by Section 9 C.P.C.
Section 26 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 provides that an agreement to restrain a marriage of any person is void.
A thing in respect of which no valid agreement can come into existence cannot be ordered to be done by the order of the court and therefore, the suit claiming such a relief would certainly be barred.
Right to marry is an integral part of right to life and liberty and is akin to a fundamental right. A fundamental right of a person cannot be taken away and therefore, also the suit as filed is clearly against the public policy.
The suit appears to have been instituted for harassing the respondent or to put some kind of pressure on her family members. It is not designed in good faith.
His Lordship's of this court in Prem Shanker Tripathi Vs. The First Additional District Judge, Allahabad and others 1986 AWC 925 ruled that a suit of frivolous and vexatious nature which scandalises the administration of justice is clearly against the dictates of the public policy should not be taken cognizance of as it is impliedly barred and the High Court in exercise of suo motu supervisory power can quash the plaint of such a suit.
A similar view has been expressed by Division Bench of this court in Gulab Chandra Vs. The Munsif West, Allahabad and others 1988 AWC 537 and it has been observed that a litigation which is sham, illusory, collusive or which is inspired by nefarious and vexatious designs should be nipped in the bud and the High court not only has jurisdiction but owes duty to check such litigation in exercise of powers under Article 227 of the Constitution of India by quashing the plaint.
The counsel was put to notice to address the court to show how the suit was maintainable but he was unable to give any assistance.
In view of above legal position, when the plaint of the suit as is before me on its face is vexatious and nefarious in design, I not only consider it my responsibility to refuse to interfere with the order impugned but at the same time in exercise of my suo motu power under Article 227 of the Constitution of India considers it my obligation to quash the plaint itself.
In view of aforesaid facts and circumstances, the plaint of original suit No.1033 of 2012 Shrawan Kumar @ Pappu Vs. Nirmala pending in the court of Additional Civil Judge, (Junior Division), Kanpur is quashed.
The writ petition is disposed of accordingly.
Order Date :- 4.12.2012 piyush