Supreme Court Rejects 'Goddess Radha's' Bid to Avoid Alimony

September 9, 2006

NEW DELHI, Sep 8 2006 (IANS): The Supreme Court Friday dismissed a

petition filed by a former police officer, who claims to be the

manifestation of Hindu goddess Radha, against an Allahabad High Court

order directing him to pay Rs.6,700 per month as maintenance to his wife.

A bench of judges B.N. Agrawal and P.P. Naolekar declined to entertain

the petition after hearing counsel M. N. Krishnamani appearing for

petitioner Devendra Kishore Panda, who resigned as Inspector General

of Police, Uttar Pradesh, and calls himself "Doosri Radha".

Counsel contended that the high court had proceeded on the wrong

premise that he was getting Rs 20,000 a month as pension though he was

getting only Rs 12,800. He said Panda was prepared to pay one-third of

the pension as maintenance to his wife and a lumpsum amount as one

time full and final settlement.

The Bench noted that since it was only an interim order, the

petitioner should go back to the high court for relief.

Panda's petition seeking a divorce from his wife is already pending in

a trial court in Uttar Pradesh, where Panda was posted.

Another petition by his wife for restitution of conjugal rights is

also pending in the trial court. Panda had resigned following

complaints that he was dressing up like Radha. He had claimed that he

was doing so under instructions from Lord Krishna to live like Radha.

Panda was present in the court Friday. The bench, in a lighter vein,

asked him: "Are you Radha or Krishna today?" Counsel replied Panda was

only a follower of Krishna.

The bench, thereafter, rejected the petition at the admission stage.

SOURCE: Telugu Portal

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