The Delhi High Court has recently issued a significant verdict, granting divorce to a man on the grounds of cruelty inflicted by his wife, allegedly due to her continued allegiance to her parents at the expense of their marital relationship.
In a decision led by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, the court highlighted the intrusive role played by the wife’s family in the couple’s married life, causing considerable distress to the husband.
Overturning a previous ruling from a family court that had dismissed the husband’s plea for divorce, the High Court observed that the couple had lived apart for about 13 years. During this prolonged separation, the husband endured the absence of marital intimacy and faced numerous complaints filed against him, actions deemed as forms of cruelty.
In its recent order, the bench, including Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, stated, “We, therefore, conclude that the appellant (husband) has been able to successfully prove that he was subjected to cruelty by the respondent and is entitled to divorce.”
The court emphasised that the wife’s behaviour, influenced by her parents, obstructed her from fostering a meaningful relationship with her husband. Such actions were considered a dereliction of her marital responsibilities, constituting mental cruelty toward her spouse.
The court warned against perpetuating a “dead relationship,” asserting that it would only lead to further suffering for both parties.
Regarding the false complaints lodged against the husband and his family, the court condemned such acts as mental cruelty, emphasising the right of aggrieved individuals to seek legal recourse while cautioning against the abuse of the legal system.
The court stressed that cohabitation and intimacy are the cornerstone of marital relationships. Depriving a spouse of such companionship renders the marriage untenable, amounting to extreme cruelty.
In this case, the court concluded that the evidence presented left no room for reconciliation between the couple. The prolonged separation, coupled with false accusations, police involvement, and legal battles, constituted mental cruelty.
Ultimately, the ruling underscores the importance of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation in nurturing a healthy marital bond while recognising individuals’ rights to seek legal redress in genuine grievances.
