We have become more of a matrimonial and bail court now: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday observed that it is increasingly functioning as a matrimonial and bail court, given the growing influx of such cases reaching its docket.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made the remark while hearing a plea filed by an Army officer who sought the Court’s intervention in matrimonial proceedings that had seen repeated adjournments before the Rajasthan High Court.

The Bench observed that although constitutional matters await hearing, the Court is increasingly weighed down by matrimonial disputes nationwide, remarking that soon it may turn into a wholly matrimonial court.

"If we start entertaining these matters for being adjourned, this Court would be flooded with divorce petitions from all over the country...all divorce matters will come before this Court. As it is, we are more of a matrimonial and bail court now. Soon, it will become totally matrimonial,” Court orally observed.

Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the matter had not been taken up for hearing before the High Court despite repeated listings. On this ground, he sought the intervention of the apex court. He further urged that the Court may issue notice limited to the issue of mediation, in order to facilitate a settlement between the parties.

Justice Nath, however, cautioned that if the Court started entertaining such pleas merely on the ground of adjournments before the High Court, it would open the floodgates to matrimonial cases across the country.

Faced with these observations, counsel for the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the plea, with liberty to approach the High Court for an early hearing. The Court allowed this request.

[Read Live Coverage]