18Written examinations of complainants

When the first or only examination of a person who complains of the offence of wrongful confinement, or of wrongful restraint, or of any offence other than an offence for which police-officers may arrest without a warrant, and who has not already presented a petition on which a fee has been levied under this Act, is reduced to writing under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the complainant shall pay a fee of eight annas, unless the Court thinks fit to remit such payment.

STATE AMENDMENT

Orissa

Amendment of section 18 of Act (7 of 1870).--In section 18 of the principal Act, for the words "eight annas" the words "one rupee" shall be substituted.

[Vide Orissa Act 5 of 1939, s. 14]

Insertion of a new section 18-A Act (7 of 1l870).--After section 18 of the Court Fees Act, 1870, as in force in the State of Orissa the following new section shall be inserted, namely:--

"18-A. Exemption to women.--(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act no plaint in respect of a suit filed by a women, whose annual income does not exceed three thousand rupees, for maintenance or for enhancement of maintenance or for recovery of share in the estate of her deceased husband or parent in the family property and no petitions filed by any such women for divorce on ground of cruelty or other misconduct on the part of her husband shall be chargeable with court fees.

(2) The Court in which such plaint or petition is filed shall have power to make such inquiry as it deems fit for assessing the income of the plaintiff or the petitioner, as the case may be.".

[Vide Orissa Act 55 of 1975, s. 2]