How Many Family Courts in Maharashtra

As a reporter, I frequently visit Mumbai’s only family court which deals with divorce cases. Apart from domestic violence and dowry issues, they also handle matters relating to civil restraining orders against abusive spouses as well as child custody disputes.

Recently, a bench of Bombay High Court ordered the state government to establish more family courts following Tushar Gupta’s PIL that claimed there is an acute shortage despite Family Court Act mandating one court per city with populations exceeding one million.

How many family courts are there in Maharashtra?

Mumbai currently hosts seven family courts, and plans are in motion to establish more. These courts specialize in handling divorce, alimony and custody matters as well as counseling sessions to foster reconciliation among couples who may be struggling.

On 14 September 1984, the Family Courts Act was passed to promote reconciliation and swift legal resolution of marital affairs among Indian citizens. Along with it was passed the Marriage and Family Property Act which granted equal protection to both husbands and wives regardless of religious affiliation.

Recently, a division bench of the Bombay High Court composed of Justices Anil Menon and Makarand Karnik heard Tushar Gupta’s PIL alleging there is an inadequate supply of family courts across Maharashtra. As per court ruling, allotting land for such courts and providing adequate resources were essential steps towards meeting this demand.

Why are there so many family courts?

Family courts provide an alternative approach to conflict resolution that encourages conciliatory approaches and non-adversarial methods of conflict resolution, with cases related to divorce, maintenance payments, alimony payments, counseling sessions before issuing divorce decrees as a way of helping reduce drama and conflicts for both parties involved.

Bombay High Court recently directed Maharashtra government to establish more family courts following a petition filed by Tushar Gupta alleging there is an inadequate supply. As per Family Court Act regulations, at least one must exist in cities with over one million inhabitants.

Family court judge in Mumbai recognized that many women brought infants into her court, so she established a lactation room to assist these mothers while waiting for their case. This innovative solution has received wide praise, showing just one way family courts can make an impactful difference in people’s lives.

What are family courts?

Family courts are special courts designed to address family-related matters. Their purpose is to assist families in resolving their differences amicably through mediation and counselling services, while helping reduce backlog in regular courts by handling exclusively family matters.

Family court cases may be complex and time-consuming, yet essential in protecting families. They provide vital oversight on matters ranging from divorce and child custody disputes to domestic violence – in fact they even help reduce dowry harassment cases in India by offering victims legal support and recourse.

Family courts face several challenges today; for instance, they frequently lack judges and public awareness regarding their existence – leading to delays in case processing and an absence of justice for families. Furthermore, family courts need to improve their counseling services by offering psychotherapeutic interventions to assist people during stressful or challenging times.

What are the benefits of family courts?

Family courts strive to facilitate reconciliation among marriage partners and resolve domestic matters swiftly and equitably. Under the Act, a family court should be established in every city with over one million residents.

Courts provide protection to victims of violence through restraining orders, guardianship of minor children and property maintenance orders. They can also assist those seeking divorce or child custody proceedings.

However, courts still face issues like lack of infrastructure, biased counselling and judge shortage. Recently, Bombay High Court strongly criticised Maharashtra government for being slow to establish family courts; engaging in correspondence only serves to “while away time”. Furthermore, employees in family courts should receive benefits similar to district court employees in order to encourage more people to file cases at these courts.