84-WP-2566-2026 (C).doc Shubhada S Kadam IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 2566 OF 2026 Monica Juvekar ...Petitioner/s Versus Prerna Swanand Khot Alias Prerna Prasad Lakeshri and anr. ...Respondent/s _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Vivek Kantawala along with Ms. Beerta H. Bajwa, Mr. Jash B. Vyas and Ms. Harsha Masand, Advocate for Petitioner. Ms. Seema Sarnaik i/b. Mr. Suhas S. Deokar, Mr. Tanmay M. Shembavanekar and Mr. Shravan H. Sul, Advocate for Respondent No.1. Ms. Kokila Kalra, Advocate for Respondent No.2. _________________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 5th OCTOBER, 2026. P.C. : 1. The challenge in this petition is to the impugned order dated 3rd January 2026 passed by the learned Principal Judge, Family Court, Thane, whereby the petitioner was added as a co-respondent in the counter-claim filed by respondent No. 2. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the learned Judge should not have added the petitioner as a co-respondent in the counter-claim filed by respondent No. 2. Learned counsel, on instructions, submits that the petitioner is ready and undertakes to appear before the learned Family Court as a witness, in the event, respondent No. 2 issues summons to the petitioner to depose as a witness before the learned Family Court. 3. Learned counsel for respondent No. 2, on instructions, submits that appropriate orders be passed. SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Digitally signed by SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.10.06 18:32:20 +0530 84-WP-2566-2026 (C).doc Shubhada S Kadam 4. Considering the submissions of both learned counsel, I pass following order: O R D E R a) The impugned order dated 3rd January 2026 passed by learned Principal Judge, Family Court, Thane, Court No.1 below Exhibit -18 in PA No.437/2024 is quashed and set aside. b) The petitioner shall appear before the learned Family Court in the event of issuance of witness summons by respondent No.2. c) Respondent No. 2 shall delete the name of the petitioner from the cause title of the counter claim as co-respondent. d) The counter-claim of respondent No. 2 shall not be dismissed or prejudiced merely by reason of the non-joinder of the petitioner as a co-respondent, in view of the above observations. The writ petition is disposed of in above terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)