JUDGMENT
K.T Sankaran, J.
In the wedlock of the petitioner and the respondent, a male child was born, who is now aged about 14 years. M.C No. 121 of 1998 was filed by the respondent claiming maintenance for the minor son. A sum of Rs. 500/- per month was awarded as maintenance.
After several years elapsed, M.C No. 125 of 2008 was filed claiming enhancement of maintenance. The Family Court enhanced the monthly maintenance to the child from Rs. 500/- to Rs. 2,500/- as per an exparte order dated 16.8.2008 630 days thereafter, the petitioner filed an application before the Family Court to set aside the exparte order and to condone the delay. He contended that he was a coolie working in Chennai and he was not aware of the proceedings before the Family Court. He came to know of the order passed by the Family Court only when he received notice in the Execution Petition.
The respondent raised a contention that the petitioner was employed in a Gulf country for the last ten years. The Family Court thought that an opportunity should be given to the petitioner to contest the case on the merits and, therefore, the exparte order was set aside on condition that the petitioner shall deposit one-half of the maintenance amount payable to his minor son. The petitioner challenges that part of the order by which he is made liable to deposit one-half of the amount as a condition for setting aside the exparte order.
2. At the time when M.C No. 121 of 1998 was filed, the child was a new born baby. Now the child has attained the age of fourteen years. For a new born baby, Rs. 500/- was awarded as maintenance. It has now been enhanced to Rs. 2,500/-. In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the court below was fully justified in directing the petitioner to deposit one-half of the maintenance amount payable as a condition for condoning the long delay of 630 days in filing the application to set aside the exparte order as well as to set aside the exparte order. There is no illegality, irregularity or impropriety in the order impugned in this Original Petition. No grounds are made out for invoking the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 227 of the Constitution of India. If the petitioner deposits the amount within thirty days from today, it shall be treated that the condition has been complied with.
The Original Petition (F.C) is, accordingly, dismissed.