Warring couple make peace, made matrimonial counsellors by Jharkhand High Court

A matrimonial dispute before the Jharkhand High Court has had an unlikely result. The husband and wife not only reconciled their differences but also volunteered to become Para Legal Volunteers on behalf of the State legal services authority..Hearing an appeal against an order passed under S.9 of the Hindu Marriage Act (restitution of conjugal rights), a bench of Virender Singh CJ and Sree Chandrashekhar J. felt that the court’s intervention might result in an amicable settlement..On May 6 this year, the bench directed the husband and wife to appear in court. The final judgment reads that – on that day,.“We could persuade upon the couple to stay together and the appellant willingly agreed to it. She joined the company of the respondent-husband from the Court itself.”.Four weeks later, the couple made a joint statement indicating that they were “staying together very happily”, and that any misunderstanding that may have arisen in the past had been resolved..But that is not all. The two also said that they would be happy to work as Para Legal Volunteers in the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority. Not only did the High Court direct the district legal services authority to empanel the two, but the court also noted that the two could serve as mediators or counselors..“In our considered view, this couple would be in a better position to give effective counseling in cases of matrimonial disputes, which would be in the larger interest of the Society.”.That is not all. The court also directed the legal services authority to honour the couple..“We are also of the view that JHALSA in appreciation for the offer made by this couple to act as Para Legal Volunteers/Mediators/Conciliators should honour them. Therefore, we direct Member Secretary, JHALSA to present a memento to this couple on behalf of JHALSA and also a small gift, usable for the couple, may be any household item as an incentive.”.Read the entire judgment below.