Hindu Marriage Act, 1955–Sec. 13–Code of Civil Procedure, 1908–Sec. 148–The opportunity of filing the reply was closed as well as the application for seeking an extension was also dismissed–According to the record of the case, the matter was referred to the ADR for mediation, and when the file was returned back with a failure report, on the same day, the right of reply was closed–Petitioner was not given the opportunity for filing the reply–Though the application for extension was filed after delay, however, on some dates, either the respondent was absent or his witnesses were not present–Proceedings were also delayed on account of COVID-19 Pandemic–Evidence of parties is yet to be started–It would be proper to give the opportunity to petitioner for filing the reply.
