The Supreme Court has ordered a wife to live with her estranged husband, “behave properly,” look after his mother and not to leave him without its permission.
A Bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Deepak Gupta said the court had interacted with the couple and found that “everything is still not lost”.
The short order of December 1 records that both Harjinder Singh and Rajpal, the wife, are present before the court.
It records that Mr. Singh was “very gracious and fair” in his submissions. On the other hand, Ms. Rajpal has only filed a case for maintenance from her husband.
“We find that the parties should be given a chance to live together for a few weeks, keeping the case pending before us,” the order observes.
“Accordingly, Rajpal is directed to go with the Harjinder Singh today from the court. Rajpal is directed to behave herself properly and look after Harjinder Singh and his aged mother. Nobody from the family of the respondent [Ms. Rajpal] shall interfere with their peaceful living,” the court directed.
Finally, it added that “without permission from the court Rajpal shall not leave the company of Harjinder Singh.”
Mr. Singh has unsuccessfully been trying for divorce. His appeal to the Supreme Court came after the Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected his plea.
The apex court has now listed the case on January 17, 2018 for further orders.
