DIPANKAR DEBAPRIYA HALDAR vs. TEESTA DIPANKAR HALDAR

Case Type: Transfer Petition Civil

Date of Judgment: 08-04-2021

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1 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION TRANSFER PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 429 OF 2019 DIPANKAR DEBAPRIYA HALDAR                           …  PETITIONER(S) VERSUS TEESTA DIPANKAR HALDAR                                …RESPONDENT(S) O R D E R 1. The petitioner is the husband of the respondent herein. The petitioner came up with the above petition seeking transfer of the Matrimonial Case No. 67 of 2013 pending on the file of the Additional th District Judge, 6   Court, Alipore, Kolkata, to a competent court at New Delhi. 2. On 01.03.2019 this Court ordered issue of notice only for the Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by ASHWANI KUMAR Date: 2021.04.08 18:17:15 IST Reason: purpose   of   referring   the   matter   to   Mediation.   Subsequently,   the 2 matter was referred to the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. In the Mediation Centre, the parties have reached a Settlement Agreement. The Agreement is extracted as follows:­ “ SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT This   Settlement   Agreement   is   being   executed between   Petitioner   Mr.   Dipankar   Debapriya   Haldar S/o   Late   Debapriya   Haldar,   R/o   141,   Satnam Apartments, 93, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai – 400005 and Respondent, Mrs. Teesta Dipankar Haldar, W/o Shri Dipankar Haldar, D/o Shri Subhendu Chaudhuri, R/o Flat No. 8A, Nabakailash, 55/4, Ballygunge, Circular Road, Kolkata – 700019. The   marriage   between   the   Petitioner   and Respondent   was   solemnized   as   per   hindu   rites   on 26.11.1993 at Kolkata.  Both parties resided together as husband and wife till 22.01.2012. There is one male child namely Mr. Indrajeet Haldar from this wedlock who is a major.  That thereafter, due to the differences between the parties, they started living separately with their respective parents. This   Hon’ble   Court   vide   its   order   dated 06.11.2019   was   pleased   to   refer   the   matter   to Mediation Centre, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi. Comprehensive   mediation   sessions   were   held with the parties separately and jointly on 13.12.2019, 22.01.2020 and today i.e. on 23.01.2020 and with the indulgence of counsels and Mediators, the parties have arrived   at   an   amicable   settlement   on   the   following terms and conditions: 1. Both   the   parties   hereto   confirm   and declare that they have, voluntarily and of their own free­will, have decided not to live together 3 as husband and wife and have arrived at this Settlement in the presence of the mediator, their respective counsels and their family members. 2. That   the   following   cases   are   pending between the parties:­ CASES FILED BY THE TEESTA HALDAR (i) Divorce   Petition   being   Matrimonial   No. 1525 of 2012      subsequently renumbered as Mat   Suit   No.   67   of   2013   pending   before Additional District Judge 6th, Alipore. (ii) All   police   complaints   filed   in   Navi Mumbai/Mumbai. CASES FILED BY THE DIPANKAR HALDAR (i) Restitution   of   Conjugal   Rights   being H.M.A.   No.   3335   of   2012   pending   before Additional District Judge 6th, Alipore. (ii) Title Suit No. 17 of 2017 pending before 6th Civil Judge, Senior Division, Alipore. Any   other   pending   cases/complaints   (Civil   or Criminal) against either parties, if any. 3. That both the parties have entered into a full and final settlement/agreement in respect to the   above   mentioned   cases   on   the   following terms & conditions: (I) That   both   the   parties   herein   agree   that they shall jointly pray to the Hon’ble Supreme Court to exercise its power under Article 142 of the Constitution of India and to grant Decree of Divorce   by   mutual   consent,   quashing   and withdrawal of all Criminal and civil cases and police complaints pending between the parties. 4 (II) That in case the Hon’ble Supreme Court is not   inclined   to   pass   the   decree   of   divorce   by mutual   consent   under   Article   142   of   the Constitution   of   India,   then   both   the   parties agree   and   undertake   to   file   for   the   Mutual Divorce Petition before the Ld. Court, Calcutta, within one month of final order of the Hon’ble Supreme   Court   accepting   the   Settlement Agreement and disposing of the Transfer Petition filed   by   the   Petitioner.   Both   the   parties undertake to be present before the appropriate Court for the filing and for the recording of the statements   in   the   mutual   consent   divorce petition. (III) It   has   been   agreed   between   both   the parties that the property  i.e. Kanchan Towers (Flat No. 1103 and 1203, Plot No. 9, Sector­25, Nerul East, Navi Mumbai) in the name of Ms. Teesta Haldar for which a loan was obtained by Ms. Teesta Haldar from HDFC, Vashi Branch, Mumbai   wherein   Ms.   Teesta   Haldar     was Principal   Borrower   and   Mr.   Dipankar   Haldar was a Co­Borrower. The said property Kanchan Towers   is   registered   under   the   name   of   Ms. Teesta Haldar. That Mr. Dipankar Haldar has filed   a   Title   Suit   being   T.S.   No.   17   of   2017 pending   before   6th   Civil   Judge,   Sr.   Division, Alipore in relation to the said property. It has been   agreed   that   Mr.   Dipankar   Haldar   would visit HDFC along with Ms. Teesta Dipankar for release   of   the   property   papers   of   Kanchan Towers   and   duly   hand   over   to   Ms.   Teesta Haldar. (IV) It   is   agreed   that   Mr.   Dipankar   Haldar would withdraw the Title Suit being T.S. No. 17 of   2017   pending   before   6th   Civil   Judge,   Sr. Division,   Alipore  after   the  First   Motion  within 5 one month after the order of this Hon’ble Court and after the filing of the First Motion within one month. (V) The property i.e. Neel Splendor situated at New Panvel, Mumbai is under joint ownership of both   Mr.   Dipankar   Haldar   and   Ms.   Teesta Haldar. It is agreed between the parties that Ms. Teesta Haldar will relinquish her share in the property   i.e.   Neel   Splendor   in   favour   of   Mr. Dipankar Haldar and expenses like stamp duty, registration and any other expense that would be required for transferring and/or deleting the name   of   Ms.   Teesta   Haldar   from   the   said property i.e. Neel Splendor would be borne by Mr. Dipankar Haldar. It is further agreed that Ms. Teesta Haldar shall fully cooperate and do all necessary formalities for getting the property transferred to Mr. Dipankar Haldar within six months from today. (VI) It is agreed between the parties that with regard two lockers i.e. one at Axis Bank, Cuffe Parade   Branch,   Mumbai   and   the   other   with Dena Bank, Vashi Branch, Ms. Teesta Haldar’s name be taken off from the said Axis Bank and Dena Bank Lockers. For the said purpose Mr. Dipankar   Haldar   will   accompany   Ms.   Teesta Haldar for carrying out the formalities in relation to surrendering both Axis Bank and Dena Bank Lockers within six months from today. (VII) Both parties have agreed that they would close all joint bank accounts and for the said purposes   both   the   parties   shall   provide   each other with all possible and required assistance. The Respondent­wife shall not claim Stridhan, maintenance   past,   present,   future   and permanent Alimony. It is agreed that the parties 6 shall   not   make   any   other   claims   whether criminal or civil in nature against each other. (VIII) That   the   Respondent­wife   will   visit   to Bombay to take the following furniture from the house of Mr. Dipankar Haldar and Mr. Dipankar Haldar agrees to return the following furniture and valuables belonging  to Ms. Teesta Haldar within six months from today: (i)   Godrej Storewell  (ii)      King size dresser (iii)      Bar Counter (iv)     Burma Teak Almirah (v) Indrajeet’s Almirah and stuff including           National   Geographic Collection (vi)     Two Chairs (Teesta Haldar’s father) (vii) Shoe almirah (viii) Wooden Dresser (ix)     Books and papers (x)      Trunk and Silver Utensils (if the same are      there, then   the same should be returned) 4. That both the parties herein agree that all the   pending   cases   whether   specifically mentioned   or   not   between   the   parties   herein shall be withdrawn. The parties undertake not to initiate any other litigation against each other in future also.  5. The parties declare that this full and final settlement cum understanding has been entered into by their free will and both the parties will abide by the terms and conditions of the same. 6. The parties agree to act in good faith in relation   to   the   performance   of   each   party’s obligations   under   this   agreement   and   not   to make any false statements against each other. 7. By   signing   this   Agreement,   the   parties hereto solemnly state and affirm that they have no further claims or demands against each other 7 and all the disputes and differences have been amicably settled by the parties hereto, through the process of Mediation. 8. That   the   parties   are   accordingly   signing this   settlement   agreement   in   presence   of   all named   above,   to   authenticate   their   will   to comply the same as agreed above. 9. Both the parties further agree that while carrying out the above said stipulations no party should take advantage of its own wrong. 10. Both parties agree to cooperate with each other and do all acts required to give effect to the terms of this settlement agreement.” 3. In the light of the settlement reached between the parties, the Transfer Petition is disposed of to the following effect:­ (i) The   parties   shall   file   a   petition   for   divorce   by   mutual consent before the appropriate court at Kolkata. The court in which such a  petition  is filed,  shall dispose of  the  same in accordance with law, keeping in mind the agreement between the parties and ensuring that any inconvenience caused to the parties is kept to the minimum; (ii) the petitioner shall visit HDFC, along with the respondent and sign necessary documents for the release of the title deeds 8 and other papers concerning the property at Kanchan Towers, Navi Mumbai; (iii) the Title Suit being T.S. No.17 of 2017, pending before the th 6  Civil Judge, Senior Division, Alipore, filed by the petitioner herein shall stand dismissed as withdrawn; (iv) the respondent shall relinquish her share in the property i.e., Neel Splendor, situated at New Panvel, Mumbai, and the expenses   for   execution   of   all   necessary   documents   shall   be borne by the petitioner, so that the said property is transferred to the petitioner fully and absolutely; (v) the   respondent’s   name   shall   be   removed   from   joint ownership of the lockers at Axis Bank, Cuffe Parade Branch, Mumbai and Dena Bank, Vashi Branch, Mumbai, so that the petitioner becomes the sole and absolute owner; (vi) all joint bank accounts shall be closed with the mutual assistance of the parties; (vii) all disputes between the parties shall stand resolved in terms of the Settlement Agreement and the parties shall have 9 no   further   or   other   claim   against   each   other,   except   the obligations stated in the Settlement Agreement; (viii) the   petitioner   shall   permit   the   respondent   to   take   the furniture listed in the Settlement Agreement. …………………………CJI. (S.A. Bobde) ……………………………J. (A.S. Bopanna) …………………………….J. (V. Ramasubramanian) New Delhi April  08, 2021