IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

   CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

         CIVIL  APPEAL No.3222 OF  2011

                    [Arising out of SLP(C) No.28231 of 2009]     

BHANWARI DEVI @ BHONRI DEVI & ANR.             

...   Appellant(s)

                     Versus

SECR.,DEPTT.OF HOME AFFAIRS,GOVT. SECTT.,JAIPUR &  ORS.

...  Respondent(s)

O R D E R

Leave granted.     

2. We  had  issued  notice  on  the  limited  point  as  to  

whether the cost of Rs.30,000/- imposed on the appellants by  

the  High  Court  was  justified  upon  dismissal  of  the  

appellants' Habeas Corpus Petition.

3. Having  heard  learned  counsel  for  the  respective  

parties and also having perused the impugned judgment and  

the final order of the High Court, we are of the view that a  

woman's  anxiety  to  trace  out  her  husband  even  if  he  is  

declared dead on the ground that he had not been seen for

seven years, should not have been met with such a harsh  

condition.

-2-                 C.A.3222/11

4. Accordingly, we allow the appeal to the extent that  

cost of Rs.30,000/- imposed by the High Court, is hereby set  

aside.

5. The appeal is allowed in the above terms.

 ..................J.          (ALTAMAS KABIR)

...................J.                       (CYRIAC JOSEPH)

   NEW DELHI;     April 11, 2011.