CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 2,000 on a man for filing a petition against his daughter-in-law over a family dispute.

P Balasubramaniyam of Maraimalai Nagar had approached the court seeking a direction to recover Rs 40 lakh as fees from Dr S Monika, who had pursued postgraduate medical studies under the government quota but had allegedly failed to serve in a government hospital as mandated under the rules.

When the matter came up before Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, counsel for the government submitted that action was already being initiated against Dr Monika for not fulfilling the compulsory service requirement and contended that the petitioner had no locus standi to maintain the petition.

On behalf of Dr Monika, it was submitted that the petitioner had suppressed the fact that he was her father-in-law while filing the petition, and the divorce proceedings between her and her husband were pending. Further, counsel submitted that a complaint earlier lodged before the Tamil Nadu Medical Council on the same issue had already been dismissed.

After hearing both sides, the judge observed that it was unfortunate that family disputes were being carried beyond the family court to criminal courts and even to the High Court through various kinds of proceedings.

Holding that a petitioner who had not suffered any personal grievance could not invoke the extraordinary jurisdiction of the High Court with a sense of vengeance, the judge dismissed the petition with costs of Rs 2,000 and directed that the amount be paid to the Director of Medical Education.