Tripura HC Permits Substitute Service on Respondent's Trial Court Counsel in Divorce Transfer Petition

Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao allowed the petitioner to serve the respondent's trial court counsel in a transfer petition arising from a Family Court divorce suit, listing the matter for 10 July 2026.

The High Court of Tripura passed a short procedural order on 22 May 2026 in Smt. Sharmila Chakraborty v Sri Joydeep Chakraborty, Tr.P.(C) No.04/2026, permitting the petitioner to effect service on the respondent through the counsel appearing for him in the underlying divorce proceedings before the Additional Judge, Family Court, Agartala. The respondent was not represented before the High Court. Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao directed that the counsel so served shall inform his client, Joydeep Chakraborty, of the transfer petition. The matter has been listed for hearing on 10 July 2026.

Transfer Petition Arising from Family Court Divorce Suit

The underlying proceeding is T.S.(Divorce) No.492 of 2025, pending before the Additional Judge, Family Court, Agartala, West Tripura. Smt. Sharmila Chakraborty has filed the present transfer petition before the High Court seeking, presumably, the transfer of that suit. Mr. Kundan Pandey, Advocate, appeared for the petitioner. No one appeared for the respondent, Sri Joydeep Chakraborty.

Order on Service

Given the absence of the respondent before the High Court, Chief Justice Ramachandra Rao permitted service to be effected on the counsel representing Joydeep Chakraborty in the trial court proceedings. The order records that the said counsel “shall inform his client Joydeep Chakraborty about this Transfer Petition.” This mode of service is directed as a practical step to bring the respondent to notice of the High Court proceedings before the next date.

Outcome

The High Court has listed Tr.P.(C) No.04/2026 for further hearing on 10 July 2026. No substantive order on the transfer petition itself has been passed at this stage.