Fri Nov 29 23:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Slams Negligence After Divorce Decree Issued Despite Stay Order
**New Delhi:** A matrimonial dispute case has exposed serious negligence within the judicial system, prompting a Supreme Court intervention. The case, involving Panuganti Srinivasa Rao and Kalabarigi Prathyusha, initially filed in a Rangareddy (Telangana) family court, was controversially transferred to Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh) despite a Supreme Court stay order on proceedings.
The Srikakulam family court, ignoring the stay, proceeded to grant an ex-parte divorce decree on March 10th. This action stunned Justice Sandeep Mehta of the Supreme Court, who noted the case file revealed “negligence and a deplorable situation at various levels.”
The transfer was initiated by Prathyusha’s petition to the Supreme Court. While the Supreme Court initially stayed proceedings in Rangareddy on April 28th, 2023, the stay was seemingly overlooked. The Rangareddy court transferred the case to Srikakulam on July 18th and October 12th, 2023, despite notifications reaching the court’s registry. These notifications, however, were not acted upon.
The Supreme Court’s inquiry revealed that the registry’s assistant registrar and branch officer were responsible for the oversight. Justice Mehta expressed concern over the lack of office reports and reprimanded the officials for their negligence.
Following the revelation of the ex-parte decree, the Supreme Court stayed the Srikakulam court’s order. The next hearing is scheduled for December 10th, with the respondent mandated to appear. Copies of the order have been sent to the High Courts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for information. The incident highlights significant procedural lapses within the judicial system.
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