DEOKI PANJHIYARA vs SHAHSHI BHUSHAN NARAYAN AZAD

The Supreme Court ruled that under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the appellant's claim for maintenance was invalidated due to the existence of a prior marriage, which was established by a marriage certificate issued under Section 13 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The Court held that the marriage between the appellant and the respondent was null and void, thus denying the appellant's entitlement to maintenance. The decision of the High Court was upheld, affirming that the appellant was not the legally wedded wife of the respondent.