Abhinav Batra vs Manvi Hora
2026 Latest Caselaw 1676 Del

Delhi High Court

Abhinav Batra vs Manvi Hora on 23 March, 2026

                          $~81
                          *      IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
                          %                                        Date of Decision: 23rd March, 2026
                          +      CM(M) 546/2026
                                 ABHINAV BATRA                                              .....Petitioner
                                                     Through:      Mr. Prashant Mendiratta and Mr.
                                                                   Sanchit Saini, Advocates
                                                     versus

                                 MANVI HORA                                             .....Respondent
                                                     Through:      Mr. Vikas Rohtagi, Mr. Neeraj Singh,
                                                                   Mr. Pankaj Rohilla and Ms. Aastha
                                                                   Vashist, Advocates
                                 CORAM:
                                 HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN
                                               J U D G M E N T (oral)

1. Petitioner herein has filed a divorce petition, which is now at the stage of final arguments.

2. The sole grievance of the petitioner is to the effect that his wife (respondent herein) entered into witness box and her cross-examination could not be concluded on 16.01.2026, 19.01.2026 and on 11.02.2026. Learned counsel for petitioner requested the learned Local Commissioner to permit him to cross-examine her further but in view of the time granted by the learned Trial Court, the matter was directed to be placed before the learned Trial Court for further direction, if any.

3. Fact remains that no further time seems to have been given by the learned Trial Court and, therefore, the matter is now scheduled for hearing final arguments on 15.04.2026.

4. Learned counsel for respondent-wife appears on advance notice and

submits that petitioner has already availed sufficient opportunities and has not been able to make out any case for grant of any kind of indulgence.

5. Mr. Prashant Mendiratta, learned counsel for petitioner submits that affidavit of examination-in-chief of the respondent-wife is very exhaustive which runs into 46 pages and submits that if one more date is granted to petitioner herein, remaining cross-examination would be positively concluded.

6. After hearing both the sides and in the interest of justice, present petition is disposed of while granting one last and final opportunity to petitioner herein to conclude cross-examination of his wife. Let such cross-examination take place on any date to be fixed in this regard by the learned Local Commissioner, after ascertaining his own convenience, availability of the witness concerned and the counsel for both the parties. Let such cross-examination begin at around 11.00 AM on said date. Since sufficient time would be available to the petitioner on such date, he would conclude the cross-examination, same day. No further opportunity on any ground whatsoever.

7. Needless to say, expenses of the Commission would be borne by the petitioner herein.

8. Petition stands disposed of in aforesaid terms.

(MANOJ JAIN) JUDGE MARCH 23, 2026/dr/sy