Karkardooma Family Courts, Delhi: Divorce, Domestic Violence, Maintenance & Custody Guide 2026

Karkardooma Courts is a major matrimonial litigation centre for East, North-East and Shahdara districts of Delhi. Official Delhi District Courts administrative material identifies Family Courts for these districts at Karkardooma. The correct forum nevertheless depends on the statute, nature of relief and territorial facts of the particular dispute.

Family Court jurisdiction at Karkardooma

Section 7 of the Family Courts Act, 1984 covers matrimonial relief, marital-status declarations, certain property disputes arising from marriage, maintenance, guardianship, custody and access. Family Courts also have a statutory settlement function under Section 9.

Divorce petitions

For Hindu marriages, Section 13 HMA provides the substantive grounds for contested divorce and Section 13B governs mutual consent divorce. Territorial jurisdiction under Section 19 may arise from the place of marriage, residence of the respondent, the place where the parties last lived together and, in specified circumstances, the wife’s residence.

Related guide: Divorce in India: Mutual Consent, Contested Divorce, Maintenance and Custody.

Domestic violence proceedings and Family Court cases

Matrimonial disputes often involve proceedings under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 alongside divorce, maintenance or custody litigation. A DV case and a Family Court case are not automatically the same proceeding or before the same judicial officer. Relief under the DV Act may include protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief, temporary custody and compensation, subject to the statutory requirements.

When parallel cases exist, pleadings and financial disclosure should remain consistent. Orders passed in one proceeding may be relevant in another. Multiple maintenance orders must be disclosed and appropriate adjustment considered in light of Rajnesh v. Neha, (2021) 2 SCC 324.

See Monetary Relief under the Domestic Violence Act.

Maintenance

Maintenance may be claimed under Section 24 or Section 25 HMA, Section 144 BNSS, Section 20 DV Act and other personal-law provisions depending on the parties and proceedings. The source of jurisdiction matters because the statutory tests differ.

Financial evidence commonly includes income-tax returns, salary slips, bank statements, business records, property records, loans, dependants, school fees and medical expenses. The Supreme Court’s disclosure framework in Rajnesh v. Neha is central to maintenance adjudication.

Detailed resource: How Maintenance Cases Are Defended and Assessed.

Child custody and access

Custody may arise under Section 26 HMA, the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 and applicable personal law. The child’s welfare is paramount. Courts examine stability, education, caregiving history, safety, emotional needs and the practicality of access.

Interim access orders should ideally specify weekends, holidays, video calls, handover locations and travel arrangements to minimise recurring conflict.

Evidence in matrimonial cases

Electronic evidence—messages, emails, photographs, recordings, bank records and digital documents—may be relevant, but it must be lawfully obtained and properly proved under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. Unauthorised access to a spouse’s accounts or devices is not a legitimate litigation strategy.

Mediation at Karkardooma

Delhi District Courts operates a mediation centre at Karkardooma Courts. Mediation can be particularly effective where the dispute involves financial settlement, return of articles, parenting plans and coordinated closure of multiple proceedings.

Common documents

• proof of marriage;
• identity and address documents;
• jurisdiction documents;
• children’s records;
• income and asset documents;
• copies of DV complaints and orders;
• FIRs or criminal-case papers where connected;
• electronic communications relied upon;
• property and residence documents; and
• a consolidated chronology of all proceedings.

Frequently asked questions

Authoritative sources

• Delhi District Courts
• Family Courts Act, 1984
• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

Firm & Correspondence Information

Disclaimer

Author: Adv. Govind Bali, Fastrack Legal Solutions LLP.