Court prevents man from taking a second wife

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Oct 19

The Family Court, Imphal East, succeeded in restraining a married man from solemnising a second marriage on October 16, a late report from the district said.

The man against whom the order was passed is identified as Elangbam Ratankumar Singh, 36, son of E. Kumar Singh of Wabagai Hiyanglam Mayai Leikai Turang, Kakching district.

The Court passed the order in response to a petition filed by Ratankumar’s wife, Elangbam Ongbi Wangjam Sumila Devi, pleading court to issue a permanent injunction and ex-parte temporary injunction against two respondents under the Specific Relief Act.

It is learnt that the Ratankumar, despite being married to the petitioner and having two children, eloped with another woman, identified as Lourembam Momota Devi, 35, daughter of L. Mema of Wangkhei Ayangpalli road, on October 14 last.

Ratankumar is Respondent No. 1 and Momota Respondent No. 2 in the case.

The petitioner Sumila and husband Ratankumar were separated on August 8, 2014, when the former returned to her parental home following alleged harassment.

Ratankumar then eloped with respondent No.2 even while a case of Domestic Violence was pending against him before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoubal.

Ratankumar and Momota were schedule to marry on October 16, but the petitioner Sumila came to know of the planned second marriage on October 15.

The court observed that there was no reason the petitioner would falsely claimed herself to be the wife of the respondent No.1 and that a Domestic Violence case was pending between them in CJM Thoubal.

Subsequently, noting that since bigamy is not permissible among Hindus, if the marriage ceremony was allowed the whole purpose of filing the petition would be frustrated, the court noted.

Besides, irreparable injury would be caused to the petitioner as her husband would begin to co-habit with the co-respondent, and in the process the sanctity of the institution of marriage would be violated, the court further observed.

The court therefore ordered that the respondents from solemnising their planned marriage until further order from the court.

It also issued directive to the Porompat police station to ensure that the order is complied with by the parties if the marriage is not yet performed.

The court summoned both the respondents to appear before it on October 23.