Report No. 59
8.24. Section 23(3) (New).-
While section 23, sub-section (2), imposes a duty on the court to effect reconciliation, it is silent about the machinery for doing so. It is desirable that for the purpose of aiding the court in bringing about such reconciliation, the court, (if it thinks it just) should have power to refer the matter to any person (named by the parties in this behalf or nominated by the court, if the parties fail to name any person). Such person could report to the court as to whether a reconciliation can be, and has been, effected. The following sub-section should be added in section 23 to achieve this object:
"(3) For the purpose of aiding the court in bringing about such reconciliation, the court may, if the parties so desire or if the court thinks it just and proper so to do, adjourn the proceeding for a reasonable period not exceeding fifteen days and refer the matter to any person named by the parties in this behalf or to any person nominated by the court if the parties fail to name any person, with directions to report to the court as to whether a reconciliation can be and has been, effected, and the court shall, in disposing of the proceeding, have due regard to the report."