Manoj Kumar Meena v Smt. Preeti Meena, 2025
It Reinforces the principle that Article 21 guarantees the right to fair trial, which includes effective access to legal representation.
Judgement Details
Court
Rajasthan High Court
Date of Decision
8 November 2025
Judges
Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand
Citation
Acts / Provisions
Section 13(1)(ia), Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
Section 25, Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
Facts of the Case
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Matrimonial dispute arose between Manoj Kumar Meena (petitioner) and Smt. Preeti Meena (respondent, advocate), leading to criminal and maintenance cases against the petitioner.
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The respondent, leveraging her influence, wrote to the local Bar Association at Sawai Madhopur, seeking disciplinary action against the petitioner’s lawyers.
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Notices were issued to the petitioner’s counsels, causing no lawyer to represent him, effectively depriving him of legal assistance.
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The petitioner filed transfer petitions requesting relocation of cases from Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur.
Issues
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Whether the petitioner’s fundamental right to legal assistance under Article 21 was being compromised?
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Whether influence of the respondent on the Bar Association amounted to creating a hostile environment affecting fair trial?
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Whether the trial proceedings should be transferred under Section 407, CrPC?
Held
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Transfer of the matrimonial and maintenance proceedings to Jaipur was allowed.
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The conduct of the respondent and local Bar Association was condemned for obstructing the petitioner’s access to justice.
Analysis
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It Reinforces the principle that Article 21 guarantees the right to fair trial, which includes effective access to legal representation.
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It Highlights that external influence on lawyers or Bar associations that prevents a party from securing counsel can justify transfer of trial under Section 407, CrPC.
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It was affirmed that the court’s role in ensuring impartial justice irrespective of litigants’ professional influence.