Divorce granted to husband on Grounds of cruelty, Desertion and False criminal Cases.

Divorce  granted to husband on Grounds of cruelty, Desertion and False criminal Cases.

“The contention of the husband was that the appellant was in the habit of quarrelling with him on petty issues without any cause and reason and had even refused to prepare food for him and do the household chores. She also humiliated him in the presence of his friends on several occasions by refusing to serve them tea. The appellant never wanted to stay with him or his parents at the village and always used to force him to drop her at her parental home; she did not have any love and affection for him and his parents; that the appellant had also pressurised him to leave the job and settle down in Delhi; he bought a land in Burari and constructed two storey house from his savings but the appellant preferred staying in her parental home at Gulabi Bagh, Delhi and used to come to their newly constructed house once a week. The husband had all along supported the appellant and their children financially as well as morally. When the construction of the house was completed, the appellant had refused to live with him at the place of his posting. She also forced her mother-in-law to leave the house who thereafter started living in her native village. She used to say that “yeh log hamare status kay neie hain.”

On these facts, the respondent/husband had alleged that he had suffered severe mental agony, tension, harassment and distress and that the behaviour of the appellant had caused him great anguish and amounted to cruelty. He had alleged that the appellant had also deserted him since she had refused to live with him. He had also averred that they had been living separately since March 2006 and it was not possible for him to continue living with her since there was a danger to his life and limb.

The first contention of the appellant is that the learned Family Court has given undue weightage to the evidence of the respondent and has discarded the evidence of the appellant. However, this contention has no merit. On the contrary, the evidence on record (including that of the appellant) was duly considered and distinguished and elaborately discussed in the impugned judgment and only thereafter the conclusion was drawn. Record shows that the appellant had examined herself alone in support of her pleas but here is no corroboration to her testimony. Several contradictions in her testimony have been discussed in the impugned judgment. Even otherwise, the burden to prove that the respondent/husband was subjected to cruelty by the appellant, was upon him and it was for him to discharge the same by leading cogent evidence.

The settled proposition of law in civil proceedings is that the principle of proof of a fact is established on a preponderance of possibility and the respondent/husband is not required to prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidences on record points out to the existence of  a particular fact, then the said fact can be accepted as having been proved. We may note that the expression “cruelty” has not been defined under the HMA. Cruelty can be mental or physical. It is easy for a party to prove physical cruelty, but mental cruelty depends on various factors.

. In the case of G.V.N. Kameswara Rao vs. G. Jabilli reported at (2002) 2 SSC 296, the Supreme Court had observed that false police complaints would result in mental cruelty as it leads to loss of reputation and standing in the society at the instance of one’s spouse. The act of leveling of unsubstantiated charges of adultery against the husband not only during the stay of the spouses together, but also during the divorce proceedings was treated as an act of cruelty on the part of the wife. In R. Balasubramanian vs. Vijaylakshmi Balsubramanian (SMT) reported at (1999) 7 SCC 311, the Supreme Court held that an

unfounded allegation of adultery is a serious allegation amounting to cruel conduct, and found that these factors cumulatively proved cruelty on the part of the appellant therein for entitling the husband to dissolution of the marriage.

In the case titled Santosh Sahay vs. Hanuman Sahay reported as 2016 IX AD (Delhi) 1, a Division Bench of this Court has held that false character assassination and allegations of such a nature made by a spouse amounts to mental cruelty and the wronged spouse is entitled to seek divorce on that ground.

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+      MAT.APP.(F.C.) 95/2017, CM No. 19921/2017, CM No. 19923/2017

 

SANTOSH                                                                                        ….. Appellant

versus

HORI LAL                                                                                                     ….. Respondent

CORAM:

HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE HIMA KOHLI

HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE DEEPA SHARMA

HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE DEEPA SHARMA

1. Vide the present appeal, the appellant has challenged the order dated 31.03.2017 passed by Principal Judge (Family Court), Tis Hazari, Delhi whereby her marriage with the respondent was dissolved under Section 13 (1) (ia) & (ib) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as “HMA”).
2. As per the admitted facts, the marriage between the appellant and the respondent was solemnized in Delhi on 29.06.1993, according to the Hindu rites and ceremonies. The marriage was consummated and two children, one female and one male child were born from out of this wedlock. The respondent has been working with the Border Road Organization and at all times, has remained posted at different border areas of the country.
3. The petition for divorce was filed by the respondent (hereinafter referred to as “respondent/husband”). The case of the husband was that the marriage was very simple and after the marriage, he took the appellant to the matrimonial home at Village Bhopal Garhi Post Kurhar Distt, Etah, UP and stayed there for about 40 days. When he left for his duty, he left the appellant at her parental home on her request. After some time, the appellant joined him at his place of posting at Arunachal Pradesh where they stayed happily. She became pregnant and insisted upon the respondent/husband that she will deliver the first child at her parental home at Delhi and so, he brought her to Delhi and left her at her parental home. A female child was born on 29.03.1994. After about two months i.e. in May 1994, he took the appellant to his place of posting i.e. Arunachal Pradesh along with the minor daughter. The second child was born on 04.05.2002.
4. The contention of the husband was that the appellant was in the habit of quarrelling with him on petty issues without any cause and reason and had even refused to prepare food for him and do the household chores. She also humiliated him in the presence of his friends on several occasions by refusing to serve them tea. The appellant never wanted to stay with him or his parents at the village and always used to force him to drop her at her parental home; she did not have any love and affection for him and his parents; that the appellant had also pressurised him to leave the job and settle down in Delhi; he bought a land in Burari and constructed two storey house from his savings but the appellant preferred staying in her parental home at Gulabi Bagh, Delhi and used to come to their newly constructed house once a week. The husband had all along supported the appellant and their children financially as well as morally. When the construction of the house was completed, the appellant had refused to live with him at the place of his posting. She also forced her mother-in-law to leave the house who thereafter started living in her native village. She used to say that “yeh log hamare status kay neie hain.”
5. The husband had referred to the incidents that took place in February 2006, which ultimately culminated in their separation. He alleged that on MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 3 26.02.2006, he had informed the appellant, on telephone, at around 8 p.m. that his father was unwell and that he was taking leave to visit him and asked her to accompany him to the village. However, once he reached Delhi, the appellant refused to accompany him to the village. She also refused to join him at his place of posting along with the children. She and her parents beat him on his visit to her parental home. He visited his house at Burari on 04.03.2006 where the appellant and her parents quarrelled with him and registered a false case against him under Section 107/150 of CrPC. He left for his village on 05.03.2006 and returned to Delhi on 07.03.2006 and went to his house at Burari and found that the appellant had removed all the household goods and had filed a false complaint under Section 498A/406/34 of IPC before Crime against Women Cell after 13 years of their marriage, alleging inter alia that he had demanded dowry of Rs. 35.00 lakhs. The respondent/husband was arrested in the FIR No. 61/2006 on 04.04.2006 and remained in judicial custody for about 20 days. With the help of police, the appellant removed the remaining articles from his house at Burari. She also removed all the jewellery lying in the locker at State Bank of India, Pratap Nagar, Delhi on 06.03.2006. She also filed several civil and criminal cases against him and his relatives on false and frivolous MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 4 grounds, just to harass and torture the husband. The appellant did all this with the intention of extracting more money from him and his relatives. Details in this respect have been furnished by the husband in para No. 15 of his petition. It was also averred that she had filed various complaints against the husband in different departments and authorities, which on investigation, were found to be false and baseless and that she had been making defamatory complaints against him and his family members.
6. On these facts, the respondent/husband had alleged that he had suffered severe mental agony, tension, harassment and distress and that the behaviour of the appellant had caused him great anguish and amounted to cruelty. He had alleged that the appellant had also deserted him since she had refused to live with him. He had also averred that they had been living separately since March 2006 and it was not possible for him to continue living with her since there was a danger to his life and limb.
7. The suit was contested by the appellant who filed her written statement wherein she had denied all the averments in the plaint, being false. She had further averred that she was forced to withdraw the FIR and other proceedings filed by her under compelling circumstances and since she did not want to take divorce from the husband, she did not file any suit MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 5 for divorce and that the respondent was taking undue advantage of his own wrong doings and that of his parents, sisters and brother-in-law. Her contention was that it was she, who had been treated with utmost cruelty by the husband and his family members. Her husband failed to maintain her and their two children and they were at the mercy of her father for day-to- day necessities and their school fees was also paid by her father. As per her version, their marriage was solemnised with great pomp and show and her parents had spent lakhs of rupees on their marriage and dowry articles, gifts and cash was given in the marriage which did not satisfy the husband and his family members who kept on raising demands and started harassing and treating her with cruelty, forcing her to fulfil their demands for brining additional dowry and cash amounts.
8. The appellant claimed that the respondent/husband demanded a Santro car on 28.02.2006 which her parents failed to provide. This refusal enraged the husband. He and his brother asked her to sign on certain blank papers and on her refusal to do so, and in view of the inability of her parents to provide a new Santro car, the respondent/husband got so infuriated that he did not allow her to enter the house. She was beaten by him and his other relatives and sustained injuries. She admitted that she MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 6 had filed a complaint under Section 107/150 of the CrPC against him and his family members on 04.03.2006. It was also contended that she was forced to live in Delhi with her parents because husband refused to keep her at the place of his posting for the reason best known to him.
9. It was further averred by the appellant that she had been fulfilling all the obligations as a devoted wife and had always remained faithful to the respondent; she was always ready and willing to accompany the respondent/husband to his native village to look after her ailing father-in- law but he had refused to take her along with him to the village. On 04.03.2006 when she was beaten up, she had been medically examined. It was contended that it was her father who had purchased plot no. 55, Block A, Gali No. 8/1, Kaushik Enclave Swaroop Nagar Road, Burari, Delhi measuring 100 square yards in her name and constructed double storeyed house over it; that the husband had fraudulently procured her signatures on a General Power of Attorney executed in his favour and sold the house first to his brother, Sh. Bhopal Singh on 08.03.2006 and thereafter, to Mr. Satish Sisodia for a sum of Rs. 6,25,000/- and mis-appropriated the sale proceeds. The appellant urged that the respondent/husband could not be allowed to MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 7 take advantage of his own wrong and thus, was not entitled for a decree of divorce.
10. On the basis of the pleadings of the parties, on 26.08.2009, the learned Trial Court had framed the following issues:-

“(1) Whether the respondent has treated the petitioner with cruelty? (OPP)

(2) Whether the respondent has deserted the petitioner for a period of more than two years before the filing of the present petition? (OPP)

(3) Relief.”

11. Both the parties had led their evidence. The respondent/husband had examined five witnesses in support of his case. In his statement, the petitioner/husband proved on record, the complaints filed by the appellant against him and marked as A to E. He also summoned a witness from the bank to prove that locker bearing no. 192 in the joint name of the parties was lastly operated by the appellant on 06.03.2006. The said record was exhibited by the witness as Ex.PW 2/1 to Ex. PW 2/5. The appellant, however, examined herself alone in support of her case. After hearing the parties at length and considering the evidences on record, the learned Trial Court reached the conclusion that the appellant had treated the respondent with cruelty and that she had deserted him without any just cause and resultantly, dissolved their marriage. Hence the present appeal.
12. The appellant has challenged the impugned order on the grounds that the learned Family Court has not properly appreciated the evidence on record and did not take into consideration the torture and the harassment she was subjected to; that reliance on the evidence of the respondent and rejection of the testimony of the appellant is unfounded; that the learned Family Court failed to consider the contradictions in the testimony of the respondent and the fact that the husband has not been able to produce any corroborative evidence to prove the allegations levelled by him against the appellant; that the Family Court failed to take into account the fact that it was the respondent who had treated the appellant with cruelty and, therefore, he cannot be permitted to take advantage of his own wrong in view of the provisions of Section 23 of HMA. It was also contended by Mr. Chaudhary, learned counsel for the appellant that the learned Family Court has wrongly granted divorce on the ground that the marriage between them has broken down because no such ground is available for divorce under the HMA. It is therefore prayed that the impugned judgment being illegal, perverse and contrary to law, is liable to be set aside.
13. We have heard the arguments addressed by learned counsel for the appellant and gone through the LCR which includes the pleadings and evidence of the parties.
14. The first contention of the appellant is that the learned Family Court has given undue weightage to the evidence of the respondent and has discarded the evidence of the appellant. However, this contention has no merit. On the contrary, the evidence on record (including that of the appellant) was duly considered and distinguished and elaborately discussed in the impugned judgment and only thereafter the conclusion was drawn. Record shows that the appellant had examined herself alone in support of her pleas but here is no corroboration to her testimony. Several contradictions in her testimony have been discussed in the impugned judgment. Even otherwise, the burden to prove that the respondent/husband was subjected to cruelty by the appellant, was upon him and it was for him to discharge the same by leading cogent evidence.
15. The settled proposition of law in civil proceedings is that the principle of proof of a fact is established on a preponderance of possibility and the respondent/husband is not required to prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidences on record points out to the existence of MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 10 a particular fact, then the said fact can be accepted as having been proved. We may note that the expression “cruelty” has not been defined under the HMA. Cruelty can be mental or physical. It is easy for a party to prove physical cruelty, but mental cruelty depends on various factors.
16. In Samar Ghosh vs. Jaya Ghosh reported at (2007) 4 SCC 511 while dealing with the concept of mental cruelty, the Apex Court has observed as under:

“99. The human mind is extremely complex and human behaviour is equally complicated. Similarly human ingenuity has no bound; therefore, to assimilate the entire human behaviour in one definition is almost impossible. What is cruelty in one case may not amount to cruelty in the other case. The concept of cruelty differs from person to person depending upon his upbringing, level of sensitivity, educational, family and cultural background, financial position, social status, customs, traditions, religious beliefs, human values and their value system.

100. Apart from this, the concept of mental cruelty cannot remain static; it is bound to change with the passage of time, impact of modern culture through print and electronic media and value system, etc. etc. What may be mental cruelty now may not remain a mental cruelty after a passage of time or vice versa. There can never be any straitjacket formula or fixed parameters for determining mental cruelty in matrimonial matters. The prudent and appropriate way to adjudicate the case would be to evaluate it on its peculiar facts and circumstances….”
101. Further, in Ravi Kumar vs. Julmidevi reported at (2010) 4 SCC 476, the Supreme Court held that cruelty is to be judged from the behavior, taking into account the entire facts and circumstances of the case and observed that:-

“20. Therefore, cruelty in matrimonial behaviour defies any definition and its categories can never be closed. Whether the husband is cruel to his wife or the wife is cruel to her husband has to be ascertained and judged by taking into account the entire facts and circumstances of the given case and not by any predetermined rigid formula. Cruelty in matrimonial cases can be of infinite variety–it may be subtle or even brutal and may be by gestures and words…”

(emphasis supplied)

18. Therefore, there is no mathematical formula to assess cruelty. If the consistent behaviour of a spouse is of such a nature as to causes pain, discomfort or it brings disrespect or disrepute to the other spouse, such behavior would constitute cruelty. Trust, mutual respect, understanding and commitment sustain a marriage. When two persons live together in matrimony, it is expected that they will be tolerant towards each other’s attitude, behaviours, moods etc. and not be over sensitive towards innocent and natural behaviour/attitude or stray mood swings of the spouse.

Spouses are expected to be supportive of each others’ needs and MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 12 requirements which includes extending due respect to the family members of the spouse.

19. While appreciating the evidence in such matters, in Deb Narayan Halder vs. Anushree Halder reported at (2003) 11 SCC 303, the Supreme Court held that Courts should rely on evidence, which is contemporaneous and observed as under:-

20…..In cases where there is a dispute between husband and wife it is very difficult to unravel the true reason for the dispute. After separation when the relationship turns sour, all sorts of allegations and counter allegations are made against each other. Evidence of contemporaneous nature therefore plays an important role in such cases as it may reveal the thinking and attitude of the parties towards each other at the relevant time. Such evidence is usually found in the form of letters written by the parties to each other or to their friends and relatives or recorded in any other document of contemporaneous nature. If really the respondent was subjected to cruelty and harassment in the manner alleged by her, we have no doubt she would have written about such treatment to her friends and relatives with whom she may have corresponded…”

(emphasis supplied)

20. The evidence brought on record clearly reveals that the parties got married on 29.06.1993 and from the period from 1993 to 2001, the appellant had been staying with the husband at the place of his posting and she was visiting her parents in Delhi during this period. The husband was employed in the Border Road Organization and was posted to different MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 13 places outside Delhi including Arunachal Pradesh. The appellant had stayed with him at those places but she had not written any letter even to her parents, complaining about the misbehaviour of the respondent. There appears no dispute between them during their entire stay at the places of posting, as no complaint of any nature had been filed by the appellant before any authority in this regard. It is also evident that the appellant did not produce any document which could suggest that she had any complaint of any nature against the respondent during her stay with him.
21. During this entire period, till the filing of the complaint of demand of dowry under Section 498 A IPC, no complaint of any nature has been placed on record by the appellant against the respondent. The evidence also shows that the appellant started living in the Burari house since the year 2001 and during this period, the respondent had been visiting her in that house. The appellant has also failed to prove that it was her father who purchased the property in her name. No document has been produced on record by the appellant to prove that she was the registered owner of the property and it was sold by the respondent by fraudulently obtaining her signatures on a Power of Attorney. No document was also produced on record to prove that the construction undertaken over the plot was raised by MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 14 her father. During the existence of a marriage of about 13 years, no complaint of demand of dowry was ever lodged by the appellant against the respondent or his family members.
22. Apparently, the dispute between the parties arose sometime in March 2006. The appellant has not disputed that in March 2006, the respondent wanted to visit his ailing father at the village and he did visit him. While respondent/husband contends that it was the appellant who had refused to accompany him, the appellant took the plea that he did not take her along, which she had failed to substantiate by leading any evidence. The appellant has not produced any substantive evidence in support of her contention that she had been visiting her in-laws in the village. On the contrary, the evidence on record clearly shows that whenever she was in Delhi, she used to reside with her parents. Although she has contended that the respondent was not providing her money towards her maintenance and that of their children and it was her father who was bearing all the expenses during her stay in the Burari house, she has not produced any evidence to prove that the school fees of the children was being paid by her father. In fact, she has failed to examine her father. It is also a fact that the appellant never made any complaint to anyone including the respondent’s department MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 15 to the effect that he was not giving them any money for their subsistence, nor had she filed any case claiming maintenance from him. There is no contemporaneous evidence on record which can even remotely suggest that the respondent had demanded dowry and that he and his family members had beaten the appellant or that he was not taking care of her and children and was not providing financial support to them.
23. The other plea of the appellant is that her husband and his family members used to demand dowry and harass her and had demanded a Santro car on 04.06.2006 and, on refusal, beaten her and turned her out of the house, thus compelling her to file a complaint under Section 498A. It turns out that the husband was discharged in the said case under Section 498A IPC, which only goes to show that there was no substance in the allegations made by the appellant in her complaint under Section 498A IPC. She has also contended that the respondent had forced her to abort their child against her wishes, but has failed to produce any evidence on record to prove the said allegations. During the cross-examination of Sh. Bhopal Singh (PW-4), the respondent’s witness, a suggestion was made that the respondent had got married to another women but it remained a mere suggestion, without any proof. The appellant has also admitted in her MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 16 testimony that the respondent had visited her at her parental home at Gulabi Bagh, Delhi on 28.02.2006 and that after 28.02.2006, she had never visited Etah, UP, where her in-laws reside.
24. On the other hand, the respondent has produced on record the evidence to demonstrate that the appellant had removed all the items lying in the locker held in their joint names, without obtaining his consent. The witness from the Bank, PW-2 had duly proved the fact that the locker was operated lastly by the appellant on 06.03.2006. This fact clearly shows that after the alleged incident of 04.03.2006, the appellant had taken out all the articles lying in the locker without the consent of her husband. The respondent has also examined PW-3 who brought the records from the Border Roads Organisation which proves the fact appellant had filed that several complaints making various allegations against the respondent not only in his office, but also to several other authorities with a copy marked to his office. Enquires were made into the allegations in the complaints, but no substance was found therein and ultimately, the respondent was exonerated. The husband had taken a plea that this act of the wife had caused him grave distress, agony and had also lowered his reputation in the department, among his friends and colleagues and in the society.
25. In the case of G.V.N. Kameswara Rao vs. G. Jabilli reported at (2002) 2 SSC 296, the Supreme Court had observed that false police complaints would result in mental cruelty as it leads to loss of reputation and standing in the society at the instance of one’s spouse. The act of leveling of unsubstantiated charges of adultery against the husband not only during the stay of the spouses together, but also during the divorce proceedings was treated as an act of cruelty on the part of the wife. In R. Balasubramanian vs. Vijaylakshmi Balsubramanian (SMT) reported at (1999) 7 SCC 311, the Supreme Court held that an unfounded allegation of adultery is a serious allegation amounting to cruel conduct, and found that these factors cumulatively proved cruelty on the part of the appellant therein for entitling the husband to dissolution of the marriage.
26. In the present case, the evidence clearly establishes the facts that the appellant had filed a false criminal complaint under Section 498 A of IPC, and Court had discharged the respondent. On her complaints, the department had also conducted enquiry against the respondent and thereafter, exonerated him, finding no truth in such complaints. Further, during the trial, the appellant had taken a stand that her husband had got remarried to another woman by giving an suggestion of this nature to PW-4, but could not prove it.
27. In the case of Vijaykumar Ramchandra Bhate vs. Neela Vijaykumar Bhate reported as (2003) 6 SCC 334, the Supreme Court has settled the proposition of law by observing as under:-

“7. The question that requires to be answered first is as to whether the averments, accusations and character assassination of the wife by the appellant husband in the written statement constitutes mental cruelty for sustaining the claim for divorce under Section 13(1) (i-a) of the Act. The position of law in this regard has come to be well settled and declared that disgusting levelling accusations of unchastity and indecent familiarity with a person outside wedlock and allegations of extramarital relationship is a grave assault on the character, honour, reputation, status as well as the health of the wife. Such aspersions of perfidiousness attributed to the wife, viewed in the context of an educated Indian wife and judged by Indian conditions and standards would amount to worst form of insult and cruelty, sufficient by itself to substantiate cruelty in law, warranting the claim of the wife being allowed. That such allegations made in the written statement or suggested in the course of examination and by way of cross- examination satisfy the requirement of law has also come to be firmly laid down by this Court. On going through the relevant portions of such allegations, we find that no exception could be taken to the findings recorded by the Family Court as well as the High Court.

We find that they are of such quality, magnitude and consequence as to cause mental pain, agony and suffering amounting to the reformulated concept of cruelty in matrimonial law causing profound and lasting disruption and driving the wife to feel deeply hurt and reasonably apprehend that it would be dangerous for her to live with a husband who was taunting her MAT.APP.(F.C) 95/2017 Page 19 like that and rendered the maintenance of matrimonial home impossible.” (emphasis added)

28. Again, in a recent decision in the case of Narendra vs. K. Meena reported as AIR 2016 SC 4599, applying the ratio of its earlier decision in the case of Vijaykumar (supra) the Supreme Court has reiterated that unsubstantiated allegations if levelled, amounts to mental cruelty and is a ground for divorce under Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Act. In a very recent judgment in the case of Raj Talreja vs. Kavita Talreja reported as AIR 2017 SC 2138, relying on the ratio of an earlier decision in the case of Ravi Kumar (supra), the Supreme Court has held that “reckless, defamatory and false accusations against her husband, his family members and colleagues, which would definitely have the effect of lowering his reputation in the eyes of peers” amounting to cruelty. In the case titled Santosh Sahay vs. Hanuman Sahay reported as 2016 IX AD (Delhi) 1, a Division Bench of this Court has held that false character assassination and allegations of such a nature made by a spouse amounts to mental cruelty and the wronged spouse is entitled to seek divorce on that ground.
29. To sum up, the allegations leveled by the appellant which she failed to substantiate even on the yardstick of preponderance of evidence, are of such a nature that would have lowered the image of the respondent in the eyes of his superiors, subordinates and peers and this act would certainly constitute cruelty. It is an undisputed position that the parties have been living separately since 04.03.2006 and in all this duration, the appellant seems to have made no effort to join the company of the respondent. Rather, her act of 06.03.2006 of cleaning out the joint locker of the parties shows an animus descendi.
30. In view of the above discussion, we are of the opinion that the findings of the learned Trial Court are based on the evidence on record. The argument of learned counsel for the appellant that the learned Family Court had given more weightage to the evidence of the respondent is turned down as baseless. We find no reason to unsettle the impugned judgment which is accordingly upheld. As a result, the appeal is dismissed in limine with no order as to costs.

 

DEEPA SHARMA (JUDGE) HIMA KOHLI (JUDGE)

How and where I Can File my divorce Petition in India.

Instructions

 

Hindu marriage joins two individuals for life, so that they can pursue dharma (duty), artha (possessions), kama (physical desires), and moksha (ultimate spiritual release) together. It is a union of two individuals as husband and wife, and is recognized by law.

The marriage tied their nuptial knot to bring about the union of souls. The marriage creates a new relationship of love, affection, care and concern between the husband and wife. According to Hindu Vedic philosophy, it is sanskar- sacrament, one of the sixteen important sacraments essential to be taken during one’s lifetime. As a result of marriage there may be physical union between the parties of the marriage for procreation of lineal progeny and for ensuring spiritual salvation and performance of religious rites but what is essentially contemplated is the union of two souls. Marriage is considered to be a junction of three important duties i.e. social, religious and spiritual

Divorce

According to the Indian divorce laws there are mainly two ways to obtain you divorce, the mutual divorce and the contested divorce. In case of a mutual divorce, you can have a talk with your estranged spouse to come to a settlement and get a “no-fault divorce”. If you are seeking a contested divorce, you can file your divorce on the grounds that are specified under the particular Indian marriage act that you are entitled to. There are separate divorce laws for Hindus, Christians, Parsis and Muslims. Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 for filing for divorce in India. Laws are even laid down for Inter-cast marriages under the Special Marriage Act, 1956.

Types of Divorce

Mutual Consent – Both the spouses are in agreement that divorce cannot be avoided and they both opt for a “no fault” Divorce.

Section 28. Divorce by mutual consent Under Special Marriage Act

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to the rules made thereunder, a petition for divorce may be presented to the District Court by both the parties together on the ground that they have been living separately for a period of one year or more, that they have not been able to live together and that they have mutually agreed that the marriage should be dissolved.

(2) On the motion of both the parties made not earlier than six months after the date of the presentation of the petition referred to in sub-section (1) and not later than eighteen months after the said date, if the petition is not withdrawn in the meantime, the District Court shall, on being satisfied, after hearing the parties and after making such inquiry as it thinks fit, that a marriage has been solemnized under this Act and that the avertments in the petition are true, pass a decree declaring the marriage to be dissolved with effect from the date of the decree

Section 13-B of Hindu Marriage Act,1955,

Divorce by mutual Consent.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act a petition for dissolution of marriage by a decree of divorce may be presented to the district court by both the parties to a marriage together, whether such marriage was solemnized before or after the commencement of the Marriage Laws Amendment Act, 1976 , (68 of 1976 .) on the ground that they have been living separately for a period of one year or more, that they have not been able to live together and that thy have mutually agreed that the marriage should be dissolved.

(2) On the motion of both the parties made not earlier than six months after the date of the presentation of the petition referred to in sub- section (1) and not later than eighteen months after the said date, if the petition is not withdrawn in the meantime, the court shall, on being satisfied, after hearing the parties and after making such inquiry as it thinks fit, that a marriage has been solemnized and that the averments in the petition are true, pass a decree of divorce declaring the marriage to be dissolved with effect from the date of the decree.

Contested Divorce – The spouse seeking divorce can file under the appropirate faith based law under which they got married or in case of civil marriage under the appropirate law under which they married or their marriage was registered.

Governing Laws

Hindus – The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955

Christians – The Divorce Act,1869, The Indian Christian Marriage Act,1872

Parsis – The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act,1936

Muslims – Shariat Law, The Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act,1939

Inter-cast/Secular – Special Marriage Act, 1954, The Foreign Marriage Act,1969

Major Grounds for Divorce

Adultery

Deserting the spouse for two or more years

Physical or mental cruelty

Conversion to another religion in case of religious marriage

Incurable disease such as leprosy, venereal disease in a communicable form

Insanity, unsound mind or mental disorder

Renounced the world by entering any religious order in case of religious marriage

Unheard of as being living for a period of seven years or more

Section 19 in The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Jurisdiction to File Divorce Petition in India).

Court to which petition shall be presented. —Every petition under this Act shall be presented to the district court within the local limits of whose ordinary original civil jurisdiction—

(i) the marriage was solemnised, or

(ii) the respondent, at the time of the presentation of the petition, resides, or

(iii) the parties to the marriage last resided together, or

41 [(iiia) in case the wife is the petitioner, where she is residing on the date of presentation of the petition, or]

(iv) the petitioner is residing at the time of the presentation of the petition, in a case where the respondent is, at that time, residing outside the territories to which this Act extends, or has not been heard of as being alive for a period of seven years or more by those persons who would naturally have heard of him if he were alive.]

Jurisdiction of the Court If a marriage is solemnised at a place within the municipal limit and the party reside there only, the family Court would have exclusive jurisdiction to deal with case. The case cannot be transferred to district court on a ground that the husband resides outside the limits of municipal corporation; Arjun Singhal v. Pushpa Karwel, AIR 2003 MP 189.

HOW TO GET A DIVORCE IN INDIA

India has different divorce laws for different religions. Almost all the religions has their own divorce laws in India which are used among themselves. There are separate laws for inter-cast or inter-religion marriages. Divorce laws in India for Hindus is described in Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Hindu Marriage Act is also used for Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains as they don’t have their own separate marriage and divorce laws. Here is the list of various divorce laws in India for various religions:

Hindu (including Sikhs, Jains and Buddists) : Hindu Marriage Act, 1955

Muslims : Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939

Christians : Indian Divorce Act, 1869

Parsis : The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936

Inter-Cast of Inter-Religion : Special Marriage Act, 1954

The Indian Divorce, Act Special Marriage Act, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act and the Hindu Marriage Act, provide for annulment of the marriage, since its very inception, on grounds such as the non-fulfillment of mandatory conditions.. The Indian Divorce act requires confirmation by the High Court to come into effect.

Grounds for Divorce in India

In India divorce is granted mainly on 4 different grounds.

1. Adultery
2. Desertion
3. Cruelty
4. Impotency
5. Chronic Diseases

 

Contested Divorce under Hindu Marriage Act 1955

Divorce. —

(1) Any marriage solemnised, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, may, on a petition presented by either the husband or the wife, be dissolved by a decree of divorce on the ground that the other party—

16 [(i) has, after the solemnisation of the marriage, had voluntary sexual intercourse with any person other than his or her spouse; or]

16 [(ia) has, after the solemnisation of the marriage, treated the petitioner with cruelty; or]

16 [(ib) has deserted the petitioner for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition; or]

(ii) has ceased to be a Hindu by conversion to another religion; or

17 [(iii) has been incurably of unsound mind, or has been suffering continuously or intermittently from mental disorder of such a kind and to such an extent that the petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to live with the respondent.

Explanation .—In this clause,—

(a) the expression “mental disorder” means mental illness, arrested or incomplete development of mind, psychopathic disorder or any other disorder or disability of mind and includes schizophrenia;

(b) the expression “psychopathic disorder” means a persistent disorder or disability of mind (whether or not including sub-normality of intelligence) which results in abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct on the part of the other party, and whether or not it requires or is susceptible to medical treatment; or]

(iv) has 18 [***] been suffering from a virulent and incurable form of leprosy; or

(v) has 18 [***] been suffering from venereal disease in a communicable form; or

(vi) has renounced the world by entering any religious order; or

(vi) has not been heard of as being alive for a period of seven years or more by those persons who would naturally have heard of it, had that party been alive; 19 [***] 20 [ Explanation. —In this sub-section, the expression “desertion” means the desertion of the petitioner by the other party to the marriage without reasonable cause and without the consent or against the wish of such party, and includes the wilful neglect of the petitioner by the other party to the marriage, and its grammatical variations and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.]

Mutual Consent Divorce under Hindu Marriage Act.

Divorce by Mutual Consent

Seeking a divorce in India is a long-drawn out legal affair, where the period of prosecution takes a minimum of six months. However, the time and money required to obtain a divorce can be considerably shortened if the couple seeks divorce by mutual consent. In this case, estranged spouses can mutually agree to a settlement and file for a “no-fault divorce” under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act 1955. All marriages which have been solemnized before or after the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act 1976, are entitled to make use of the provision of divorce by mutual consent. However, for filing for a divorce on this ground, it is necessary for the husband and wife to have lived separately for at least a year.

Sec.13-B of Hindu Marriage Act 1955- Divorce by mutual consent.-(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act a petition for dissolution of marriage by a decree of divorce may be presented to the District Court by both the parties to a marriage together, whether such marriage was solemnized before or after the commencement of the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976, on the ground that they have been living separately for a period of one year or more, that they have not been able to live together and that they have mutually agreed that the marriage should be dissolved.

(2) On the motion of both the parties made earlier than six months after the date of the presentation of the petition referred to in sub-section (1) and not later than eighteen months after the said date, if the petition is not withdrawn in the mean time, the Court shall, on being satisfied, after hearing the parties and after making such inquiry as it thinks fit, that a marriage has been solemnized and that the averments in the petition are true, pass a decree of divorce declaring the marriage to be dissolved with effect from the date of the decree.

Procedure for Filing for Divorce

The procedure for seeking a divorce by mutual consent, is initiated by filing a petition, supported by affidavits from both partners, in the district court. Known as the First Motion Petition for Mutual Consent Divorce, this should contain a joint statement by both partners, that due to their irreconcilable differences, they can no longer stay together and should be granted a divorce by the court. After six months, the Second Motion Petition for Mutual Consent Divorce should be filed by the couple and they are required reappear in the court. A gap of six months is given between the two motions, so as to offer the estranged couple adequate time to reconsider their decision of dissolving their marriage. After hearings from the husband and wife, if the judge is satisfied that all the necessary grounds and requirements for the divorce have been met, the couple is granted a mutual divorce decree. Some of the important issues on which the couple should have agreed, in their petition for divorce by mutual consent, are custody of child, alimony to wife, return of dowry items or “streedhan” and litigation expenses.

ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE UNDER HINDU MARRIAGE ACT:

There are two ways to legally end a marriage – annulment and divorce. An annulment is a legal procedure which cancels a marriage between a man and a woman. Annulling a marriage is as though it is completely erased – legally, it declares that the marriage never technically existed and was never valid. A divorce, or legal dissolution of a marriage, is the ending of a valid marriage between a man and a woman returning both parties to single status with the ability to remarry. While each individual state has its own laws regarding the grounds for an annulment or for a divorce, certain requirements apply nationwide.

An annulment case can be initiated by either the husband or the wife in the marriage. The party initiating the annulment must prove that he or she has the grounds to do so and if it can be proven, the marriage will be considered null and void by the court. The following is a list of common grounds for annulment and a short explanation of each point:

Bigamy – either party was already married to another person at the time of the marriage
Forced Consent – one of the spouses was forced or threatened into marriage and only entered into it under duress.

Fraud – one of the spouses agreed to the marriage based on the lies or misrepresentation of the other.

Marriage Prohibited By Law – Marriage between parties that based on their familial relationship is considered incestuous.

Mental Illness – either spouse was mentally ill or emotionally disturbed at the time of the marriage.

Mental Incapacity – either spouse was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the marriage and was unable to make informed consent.

Inability to Consummate Marriage – either spouse was physically incapable of having sexual relations or impotent during the marriage.

Underage Marriage – either spouse was too young to enter into marriage without parental consent or court approval.

Depending on your state of residence, a divorce can be much more complicated than an annulment. Like annulment cases, each state has its own set of laws regarding divorce. In most divorce cases, marital assets are divided and debts are settled. If the marriage has produced children, a divorce proceeding determines custody of the children, visitation rights and spousal and child support issues.

Each state can have either a “no-fault” divorce or a “fault” divorce. A no-fault divorce allows the dissolution of a legal marriage with neither spouse being named the “guilty party” or the cause for the marital break-up.

Many states now offer the “no-fault” divorce option, a dissolution of a legal marriage in which neither party accepts blame for the marital break-up. In the absence of a “guilty party,” some states require a waiting period of a legal separation before a no-fault divorce can take place. For this reason, in addition to cases where one spouse wishes to assign blame, some parties seek to expedite the legal process by pursuing a traditional, “fault” divorce.

A “fault” divorce is only granted when one spouse can prove adequate grounds. Like an annulment, these grounds vary from state to state, however, there are some overarching commonalities. These guidelines often include addition to drugs, alcohol or gambling, incurable mental illness, and conviction of a crime. The major grounds for divorce that apply in every state are listed below:
Adultery – one or both spouses engages in extramarital relationships with others during the marriage.

Desertion – one spouse abandons the other, physically and emotionally, for a lengthy period of time.

Physical/Emotional Abuse – one spouse subjects the other to physical or violent attacks or emotional or psychological abuse such as abusive language, and threats of physical violence.

Your state law and particular situation will determine whether or not your annulment or divorce will be simple or complex. Familiarizing yourself with the laws for your particular state is the best way to learn what your rights are in the case of a marital dissolution.

Nullity of marriage and divorce:- Void marriages Any marriage solemnized after the commencement of this Act shall be null and void and may, on a petition presented by either party thereto, against the other party be so declared by a decree of nullity if it contravenes any one of the conditions specified in clauses (i), (iv) and (v), Section 5. 12. Voidable.

Marriages.-(1) Any marriage solemnized, whether before or after the
commencement of this Act, shall be voidable and may be annulled by a decree of nullity on any of the following grounds, namely:-
(a) that the marriage has not been consummated owing to the impotency of the respondent; or

(b) that the marriage is in contravention of the condition specified in clause (ii) of Section 5; or

(c) that the consent of the petitioner, or where the consent of the guardian in marriage of the petitioner was required under Section 5 as it stood immediately before the commencement of the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 1978, the consent of such guardian was obtained by force or by fraud as to the nature of the ceremony or as to any material fact or circumstance concerning the respondent; or

(d) that the respondent was at the time of the marriage pregnant by some person other than the petitioner.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no petition for annulling a marriage-

(a) on the ground specified in clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall be entertained if-

(i) the petition is presented more than one year after the force had ceased to operate or, as the case may be, the fraud had been discovered ; or

(ii) the petitioner has, with his or her full consent, lived with the other party to the marriage as husband or wife after the force had ceased to operate or, as the case may be, the fraud had been discovered;

(b) on the ground specified in clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall be entertained unless the court is satisfied-

(i) that the petitioner was at the time of the marriage ignorant of the facts alleged;

(ii) that proceedings have been instituted in the case of a marriage solemnized before the commencement of this Act within one year of such commencement and in the case of marriages solemnized after such commencement within one year from the date of the marriage; and

(iii) that marital intercourse with the consent of the petitioner has not taken place since the discovery by the petitioner of the existence of the said ground.

 

cruelty ground for Divorce under hindu marriage act.

 

 Before the trial Court, on the side of the petitioner/wife, she has examined herself as PW.1 and marked 4 documents as Exs.P1 to P4 and on the side of the respondent/husband, he has examined himself as RW.1 and marked 13 documents as Exs.R1 to R13. The Trial Court, after analysing the entire pleadings and evidence on record, came to the conclusion that the contention of the petitioner/wife that the respondent/husband has caused mental and physical cruelty to the petitioner/wife is proved and therefore the petitioner/wife is entitled for divorce on theground of cruelty. The Trial Court has further held that the petitioner/wife is entitled for permanent alimony of Rs.5 lakhs from the respondent/husband. Aggrieved with the above said order, the respondent/husband has preferred this appeal.

21. Per contra, the learned counsel for the petitioner-wife has submitted that the petitioner has alleged several incidences of cruelty in the petition and the petitioner has deposed to prove the same and since the above said incidences happened between the husband and wife, the petitioner-wife alone is competent to speak about the alleged cruelty and the Trial Court has correctly discussed and held that the petitioner-wife has proved the alleged cruelty and granteddivorce on the ground of cruelty and also the permanent alimony awarded by the Trial Court is just and reasonable and no need to interfere with the above said findings of the Trial Court.

24. The learned counsel for the appellant/respondent has relied on the following decisions:

“1. DR.N.G.DASTANE Vs. MRS. S. DASTANE (AIR 1975 SC 1534)

2. P.ABIRAMI Vs. D.E. TAMILARASAN (2012 (2) CTC 607) and

3. SAMAR GHOSH Vs. JAYA GHOSH (2007 (3) CTC 464)”

and contended that the burden of proof lies only on the petitioner to establish her case and also contended that mere trivial irritations, quarrels and normal wear and tear of married life, which happens in day to day life would not be adequate for grant of divorce on the ground of mentalcruelty and the petitioner has not pleaded with material particulars like date and month and also not pleaded and proved the specific acts of cruelty and therefore the petitioner-wife is not entitled to the relief of divorce on the ground of cruelty.

“74. …. (ix) Mere trivial irritations, quarrels, normal wear and tear of the married life which happens in day to day life would not be adequate for grant of divorce on the ground of mentalcruelty. ….”

In the above said decision, the Honourable Supreme Court has held that mere trivial irritations, quarrels, normal wear and tear of the married life which happens in day to day life would not be adequate for grant of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty.

29. In the instant case, the petitioner-wife has filed petition for divorce on the ground ofcruelty and therefore as per the law laid down by the Honourable Supreme Court in the above decision relied on by the respondent/husband, the petitioner/wife has to prove the alleged incidences of cruelty by adducing reliable evidence.

———————————————————————————————————

IN  THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED :      16 .8.2012

CORAM:


THE HONOURABLE  MR.JUSTICE  C.NAGAPPAN
and
THE HONOURABLE  MR.JUSTICE  R.KARUPPIAH


C.M.A No.887 of 2010
and
MP.No.1 of 2010
---

A.Sukumar     .. Appellant/Respondent
 
       Vs.

K.S.Chitra     .. Respondent/Petitioner

 Prayer:  This Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is preferred against the fair and decretal order, dated 27.10.2009, passed  in  F.C.O.P.No.918 of 2003 on the file  of  the  Principal  Family Court, Chennai.   

  For Appellant            :   Mr.S.Soundararajan
          for  Mr.K.S.Natarajan
 
  For Respondent         :   Mr.D.J.Venkatesan  
  
          ----

JUDGMENT

R.KARUPPIAH,J.

This Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is directed against the fair and decretal order, dated 27.10.2009, passed in F.C.O.P.No.918 of 2003 on the file of the Principal Family Court, Chennai. The respondent in the petition is the appellant herein. In this Judgment, for the sake of convenience, the parties are referred to as arrayed in the petition.

2. The respondent/petitioner, who is the wife of the appellant, has filed petition for divorce on the ground of cruelty under Section 13(1)(i)(a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and also for permanent alimony of Rs.10 lakhs.

3. Briefly, the case of the petitioner/wife is that the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent was solemnised on 26.1.1996 according to Hindu rites and customs and out of wedlock, a daughter viz. Varshini, aged 6 years and a son viz. Sanjay, aged 1 = years, were born. The respondent is employed as Reservation Clerk in Southern Railway and the petitioner is employed as Clerk in Indian Bank, Perambur.

4. According to the petitioner, at the time of marriage, the respondent’s father informed that all his sons were settled in life and they were all living in their own house and on believing the abovesaid fact, the petitioner’s parents consented for the marriage, but his elder brother Kirubakaran, who was married and having children, was unemployed and the entire family was depending upon the respondent and the respondent’s father had chosen the petitioner in the interest of her income from employment. Further, the respondent’s father and brother insisted the petitioner and the respondent to vacate the house since they wanted to rent out that portion and to utilise the rental income for the said Kirubakaran’s family.

5. It is further stated in the petition that the respondent raised loan and purchased house at No.49, Janagiram Reddy Colony, Villivakkam and as there was insufficiency of funds to purchase the house, he forced the petitioner to collect money from her parents and he had beaten up the petitioner black and blue everyday for not asking money from her parents. The petitioner has further stated that the respondent went to the extent of dashing the face and head of the petitioner on wall by holding her hair in his hands and unable to bear the torture, the petitioner requested her parents, who had helped her by giving Rs.1 lakh from their pension. It is further stated that the petitioner was not even permitted to see or handle the pass-book or cheque books and her jewelleries in the bank locker maintained by the respondent and thus the petitioner was subjected to cruelty both physically and mentally by the respondent.

6. It is further stated in the petition that after vacating from own house, the respondent’s father constructed shops in the building and arranged for permanent income to the said Kirubakaran and for those construction, the respondent, his father and brother jointly humiliated the petitioner to ask for money from her parents and also encouraged the respondent to beat the petitioner severely and also the respondent’s father and brother threatened the petitioner in indecent manner even in the presence of the respondent.

7. The petitioner has further averred in the petition that the respondent had behaved brutally in the sexual life and he used to wake up the petitioner during mid night and had violent sex with her and when the petitioner refused or expressed her tiredness due to over work, the respondent kicked and assaulted the petitioner and also blackmailed the petitioner to subject herself for violent sexual acts otherwise he will bring call girls to home and he will have sex with them in the presence of the petitioner. It is further stated that the respondent was always suspicious and teased the petitioner and also doubted each and every act of the petitioner and the respondent has refused to purchase the necessary provisions for family and also refused even to give Rs.10 extra as pocket money to the petitioner and on many occasions, inspite of ill-health and tiredness, the petitioner was not able to have a cup of coffee or tea at her working place. The petitioner has further stated that harassment and tortures were increasing day by day and the petitioner was waiting with confidence that the respondent will realise his mistakes and correct himself, but the respondent had taken advantage of the goodness and he started her teasing her through the female child by persuading the child.

8. It is further stated in the petition that on 25.4.2003, the respondent forced the petitioner for sex in the early morning and when the petitioner was not willing, he assaulted her severely and threw her out from the matrimonial home by saying that she was not useful for his sexual life and she has to bring Rs.2 lakhs from her parents, otherwise he will not accept her and therefore the petitioner was living with her parents.

9. The petitioner has further stated that on 27.4.2003, when the petitioner was standing in Villivakkam Railway Station, the respondent shouted at her in most indecent manner by using unparliamentary words and hence the petitioner returned her home and took her brother and escorted her to reach her work place and on the same day, after the petitioner left the house, the respondent’s father and brother entered her parents’ house and abused them in the filthy language and threw their chappals on the petitioner’s parents. While the petitioner’s maternal uncle tried to prevent the situation, he was assaulted by the respondent’s father and brother and hence the petitioner lodged police complaint on 28.5.2003 with W-5 All Women Police Station, Anna Nagar, Chennai which has been proved futile and therefore the petitioner has filed this petition to grant a decree of divorce dissolving the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent and also to grant permanent alimony of Rs.10 lakhs for children.

10. The respondent-husband has filed detailed counter and denied the averments in the petition and stated that there are no sufficient grounds for the grant of divorce and according to Hindu Law, marriage is a sacrament and the relationship of the husband and wife cannot be severed on such flimsy and frivolous allegations. According to the version of respondent, the marriage was held only after enquiring about status of the respondent by petitioner’s father. Further, respondent’s brother viz. Kirubakaran is a technically qualified person and at the time of marriage, he was working in private concern at Ambattur Industrial Estate and his earning was more than sufficient for entire family expenses and he was never depending upon the income of the respondent and therefore the allegations that Kirubakaran was unemployed and his family was depending upon the respondent are all false. The respondent has also denied the allegation that the petitioner was treated by the respondent’s elder brother Kirubakaran and his father as a money lending machine. According to respondent, his father was a retired Railway employee and he is getting pension and also agricultural income and it is sufficient for his retired life and he is not dependent either on the petitioner or respondent’s income.

11. It is further averred in the counter that at the time of marriage, the petitioner was working at Golden Rock Railway Station, Tiruchirapalli till March, 1998 and the respondent was in Chennai and during the weekends, the respondent used to visit Trichy and similarly the petitioner also used to visit Chennai to spend holidays with the respondent. It is further stated in the counter that the petitioner got transferred in April 1998 and thereafter both the petitioner and the respondent stayed together and led a happy life.

12. The respondent has further stated in the counter that the allegations made in the petition that the petitioner was beaten up by the respondent black and blue every day for not asking money from her parents and he went to the extent of dashing the face and head of the petitioner against the wall are all absolutely false and the respondent never been any rude or atrocious behaviour and in fact the respondent on several occasions has shown his love and affection towards the petitioner in abundance. The respondent has further denied the averment that the petitioner was not even permitted to see or handle the pass book, cheque book and jewellery in the bank locker and the petitioner was never restricted to operate her bank account by the respondent being an Either or Survivor account. It is further stated in the counter that the respondent’s father sold his agricultural land of 3 acres at Magarai village and out of the above said amount and also the loan of Rs. 3 lakhs from Ramakrishnapuram Building Society Limited, Villivakkam, he constructed shops near the existing building and it is false to state that the respondent availed loan for the construction and it is constructed for providing a permanent income to the respondent’s brother Kirubakaran. The respondent has also denied the allegation that the respondent’s father and brother jointly humiliated and harassed the petitioner and insisted her to ask money from her parents and the petitioner never suffered any cruelty through the respondent or by his relatives and also denied the averment that the respondent was always suspicious and teased the petitioner without any limitation. It is further stated in the counter that the respondent had never made any harassment and torture to the petitioner and also denied the allegation that the respondent teased her through female child by pampering the child.

13. The respondent has further stated in the counter that since the petitioner had an aversion in joint family, the respondent availed housing loan of Rs.3 lakhs on 5.8.1998 from his bank, Rs.75,000/- from Ind Bank Housing Limited, received Rs.50,000/- from petitioner’s mother as a hand loan and received Rs.40,000/- from his father and purchased a flat for Rs.4,65,000/- and occupied on 6.9.1998 and the petitioner and the respondent jointly lived for five months from April, 1998 to August, 1998. It is further stated that the respondent had repaid the hand loan obtained from the petitioner’s mother and his father. The respondent has further stated that he availed another housing loan of Rs.1,50,000/- during November, 2001 from his employer for alteration and interior decoration of his flat and repaid the loan amount as Rs.2,200/- pm. The respondent has specifically denied the averment made in the petition that the respondent forced the petitioner to collect money from her parents either for purchase of flat or for repayment of loan and also denied the allegation that petitioner’s parents gave Rs.1,00,000/-.

14. The respondent has further stated in the counter that the alleged incidents happened on 25.4.2003 are false and cooked up for the petition. According to respondent, on 25.4.2003, the respondent planned to go to Thiruttani Temple along with his family and he requested the petitioner to accompany them but the petitioner refused and asked him to take only her children and the respondent requested again and again but the petitioner shouted and quarreled with the respondent. It is further stated that the petitioner has no faith in Hinduism and therefore the respondent had cancelled the programme and went to his office and the petitioner also went to her office without preparing any food and on that day, she went to her parents’ house. The respondent has further stated that he tried to talk with the petitioner over phone but the petitioner refused. It is further stated that besides humiliating the respondent, the petitioner gave strict instruction to her parents not to talk with the respondent and it is clear proof for her bad behaviour with the respondent.

15. It is further stated in the counter that on 27.4.2003, being a holiday, the respondent met the petitioner at Villivakkam Railway Station on her way to office and tried to compromise but she refused to talk with him and returned to her parents’ house. The respondent has further denied the allegation in the petition that the respondent’s father and brother entered the petitioner’s parents’ house and abused them in filthy language and threw chappals on the petitioner’s parents and in fact, the petitioner’s father went to petitioner’s house to persuade the petitioner to live with the respondent and lead a happy married life. The respondent has further stated that the petitioner, on a strong influence of her parents, does not desire to continue the marital tie with ulterior motive.

16. The respondent has also stated in the counter that the petitioner lodged a false police complaint on 28.4.2003 and the police conducted enquiry and tried to compromise them but it failed since the petitioner was adamant. It is further averred in the counter that the female child S.Varshini was staying with the respondent and another male child S.Sanjay was staying with the petitioner and the petitioner never allowed to see the child and it clearly shows the amount of cruelty caused to the respondent by the petitioner. The respondent has further stated in the counter that inspite of various allegations against the respondent, the respondent is for reunion only and the petitioner is not showing any indication to live with the respondent. It is further stated by the respondent that the permanent alimony claimed in the petition is only to harass the respondent and put in mental agony and torture on the petitioner’s hands and at any rate, the claim of permanent alimony is high and not maintainable and therefore prayed for dismissal of the above said petition.

17. Before the trial Court, on the side of the petitioner/wife, she has examined herself as PW.1 and marked 4 documents as Exs.P1 to P4 and on the side of the respondent/husband, he has examined himself as RW.1 and marked 13 documents as Exs.R1 to R13. The Trial Court, after analysing the entire pleadings and evidence on record, came to the conclusion that the contention of the petitioner/wife that the respondent/husband has caused mental and physical cruelty to the petitioner/wife is proved and therefore the petitioner/wife is entitled for divorce on the ground of cruelty. The Trial Court has further held that the petitioner/wife is entitled for permanent alimony of Rs.5 lakhs from the respondent/husband. Aggrieved with the above said order, the respondent/husband has preferred this appeal.

18. The points for determination in this appeal are:

“1. Whether the petitioner-wife is entitled to divorce on the ground of cruelty under Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955?

2. Whether the petitioner-wife is entitled to permanent alimony as claimed by her in the petition?”

19. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the entire materials on record.

20. The learned counsel for the respondent/husband has submitted that the Trial Court came to erroneous conclusion that the respondent/husband continued to demand more money from the petitioner/wife without any oral and documentary evidence and the trial Court without applying its mind and believing the evidence of petitioner-wife, without any proof to the same, has held that the respondent has doubted the act of the petitioner and also the respondent/husband had behaved brutally in sexual life and violent with her. He has further submitted that the Trial Court has failed to consider the evidence of the respondent/husband that the respondent/husband was leading marital life as dutiful husband as well as much abundant of love and affection towards his wife and children beyond doubt, but the Trial Court only based on the police complaint dated 28.4.2003 came to the conclusion that the alleged incidence of cruelty was proved by the petitioner/wife. The learned counsel for the respondent/husband has further contended that the respondent has not caused any mental or physical cruelty to the petitioner as alleged in the petition and the petitioner/wife has failed to prove the alleged incidences of cruelty by any sufficient oral and documentary evidence. He has further submitted that the Trial Court has failed to consider the fact that petitioner/wife was Central Government employee and other material facts and arbitrarily awarded Rs.5 lakhs as permanent alimony and therefore prayed for setting aside the above said order and decree passed by the Trial Court.

21. Per contra, the learned counsel for the petitioner-wife has submitted that the petitioner has alleged several incidences of cruelty in the petition and the petitioner has deposed to prove the same and since the above said incidences happened between the husband and wife, the petitioner-wife alone is competent to speak about the alleged cruelty and the Trial Court has correctly discussed and held that the petitioner-wife has proved the alleged cruelty and granted divorce on the ground of cruelty and also the permanent alimony awarded by the Trial Court is just and reasonable and no need to interfere with the above said findings of the Trial Court.

22. It is not in dispute that the marriage between the petitioner and respondent was solemnised on 26.1.1996 according to Hindu rites and customs and out of wedlock, a daughter viz. Varshini and a son viz. Sanjay were born and it is also not in dispute that both the husband and wife were employees and lived together as husband and wife till 25.4.2003.

23. The incidences of cruelty alleged by the petitioner/wife are as under:

(1) The entire family of the respondent/husband was depending upon the income of the respondent and his elder brother Kirubakaran who was married and having children was unemployed and the respondent’s father had chosen the petitioner in the interest of income from her employment and the petitioner was treated by cruelty.

(2) The respondent-husband forced the petitioner/wife to collect money from her parents when the respondent raised loan and purchased house at No.49, Janagiram Reddy Colony, Villivakkam as there was insufficiency of funds to purchase the house and the respondent/husband beaten the petitioner/wife black and blue everyday for not asking money from her parents and the respondent/husband went to the extent of dashing the face and head of petitioner/wife on wall by holding her hair in his hands and unbearable with the above said tortures, the petitioner-wife requested her parents, who had helped her by giving Rs.1 lakh from their pension.

(3) After vacating the respondent/husband and petitioner/wife from the own house, the respondent’s father constructed shops and at that time, the respondent, his brother and father have jointly humiliated and harassed the petitioner to ask for money from her parents and also encouraged the respondent to beat the petitioner-wife severely so that she will collect money from her parents.

(4) the respondent had behaved brutally in sexual life and he used to wake up the petitioner during the mid-night and had violent sex with her and when the petitioner refused and expressed her tiredness due to over work, the respondent-husband kicked and assaulted his wife and also the respondent blackmailed the petitioner to subject herself for violent sexual life otherwise he will bring call girls home and he will have sex with them in the presence of petitioner-wife.

(5) The respondent was always suspicious and teased the petitioner and the respondent doubted each and every act of the petitioner and also the respondent refused to purchase necessary provisions for the family.

(6) On 25.4.2003, the respondent-husband forced the petitioner-wife for sex in the early morning and when she was not willing, the respondent assaulted her severely and threw her from matrimonial home by saying that she was not useful for his sexual life and also asked to bring Rs.2 lakhs from her parents otherwise he will not accept her.

(7) On 27.4.2003, when the petitioner-wife was standing in Villivakkam Railway Station, the respondent shouted at her in most indecent manner by using unparliamentary words and hence the petitioner-wife returned back home and took her brother to escort her to reach her work place and on the same day, after the petitioner-wife left the house, the respondent’s father and brother entered the petitioner-wife’s parents house and abused them in filthy language and threw chappals on the petitioner-wife’s parents and therefore the petitioner-wife lodged a complaint on 28.4.2003 with W.5 All Women Police Station.

24. The learned counsel for the appellant/respondent has relied on the following decisions:

“1. DR.N.G.DASTANE Vs. MRS. S. DASTANE (AIR 1975 SC 1534)

2. P.ABIRAMI Vs. D.E. TAMILARASAN (2012 (2) CTC 607) and

3. SAMAR GHOSH Vs. JAYA GHOSH (2007 (3) CTC 464)”

and contended that the burden of proof lies only on the petitioner to establish her case and also contended that mere trivial irritations, quarrels and normal wear and tear of married life, which happens in day to day life would not be adequate for grant of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty and the petitioner has not pleaded with material particulars like date and month and also not pleaded and proved the specific acts of cruelty and therefore the petitioner-wife is not entitled to the relief of divorce on the ground of cruelty.

25. Per contra, the learned counsel for the petitioner-wife relied on the following decisions:

“1. SATISH SITOLE Vs. SMT. GANGA (AIR 2008 SC 3093)

2. SAPNA Vs. B. PRADEEP KUMAR (MANU/TN/0823/ 2012 = II (2012 DMC 35)

3. VISHWANATH S/O SITARAM AGRAWAL Vs. SAU. SARLA VISHWANATH AGRAWAL (MANU/SC/0513/2012) and

4. SAMAR GHOSH Vs. JAYA GHOSH (2007 (3) CTC 464)”

and would submit that the petitioner-wife has clearly stated the incidences of mental and physical cruelty in the petition and also the petitioner has testified the above said facts at the time of evidence and further submitted that the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent was solemnised on 26.1.1996 and on 25.4.2003 onwards the petitioner and respondent were not living together and the petition was filed on 14.5.2003 and it would not be possible for them hereafter to live as husband and wife unitedly and the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent had completely broken down beyond repair and therefore it is a clear case of irretrievable break down of marriage between the parties and therefore the petitioner-wife is entitled to obtain a decree of divorce and the trial Court has correctly dissolved the marriage by granting divorce on the ground of cruelty.

26. In the decision relied on by the respondent-husband in DR.N.G.DASTANE Vs. MRS. S. DASTANE (AIR 1975 SC 1534), it is observed in para No.23 as under:

“23. …. First, as to the nature of burden of proof which rests on a petitioner in a matrimonial petition under the Act. Doubtless, the burden must lie on the petitioner to establish his or her case for, ordinarily the burden lies on the party which affirms a fact, not on the party which denies it. This principle accords with commonsense as it is so much easier to prove a positive than a negative. The petitioner must therefore prove that the respondent has treated him with cruelty within the meaning of Section 10(1)(b) of the Act. “

In the above said decision, the Honourable Supreme Court has clearly laid down the principle that the burden of proof lies on the petitioner to establish his or her case and therefore the petitioner must prove that the respondent has treated her with cruelty.

27. The learned counsel for the respondent-husband has relied on another decision of a Division Bench of this Court in P.ABIRAMI Vs. D.E. TAMILARASAN (2012 (2) CTC 607), in which, para 16 reads as under:

“16. As far as the allegation of mental cruelty is concerned, as rightly submitted by the learned counsel for the Appellant, the acts alleged against the Appellant, which according to the Respondent, amounts to causing mental cruelty, have not been pleaded with material particulars like the date and month. No specific acts which amounted to causing mental cruelty have been pleaded with material particulars. Only general allegations have been made against the Appellant by the Respondent in the Petition. In the Petition before the Court below, it has not been stated that due to the Appellant’s higher education and wealth and due to superiority complex what was the nature of the behaviour and what was the activity of the Appellant, which caused mental cruelty to the Respondent. Though it has been alleged in the Petition that the Appellant failed to act as a dutiful wife from the date of marriage till the date she left the matrimonial home, the Petition is silent as to what was the duty that was not performed by her.”

In the above decision, this Court has clearly held that as far as the allegation of mental cruelty, the alleged acts have not been pleaded with material particulars like date and month and no specific acts which amounted causing mental cruelty have been pleaded with material particulars and only general allegations have been made and therefore this Court has set aside the decree of divorce granted on the ground of mental cruelty.

28. Further, in the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court in SAMAR GHOSH Vs. JAYA GHOSH (2007 (3) CTC 464), relied on by both the learned counsel for the petitioner/wife and the respondent/husband, it is held in para 74 as under:

“74. …. (ix) Mere trivial irritations, quarrels, normal wear and tear of the married life which happens in day to day life would not be adequate for grant of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty. ….”

In the above said decision, the Honourable Supreme Court has held that mere trivial irritations, quarrels, normal wear and tear of the married life which happens in day to day life would not be adequate for grant of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty.

29. In the instant case, the petitioner-wife has filed petition for divorce on the ground of cruelty and therefore as per the law laid down by the Honourable Supreme Court in the above decision relied on by the respondent/husband, the petitioner/wife has to prove the alleged incidences of cruelty by adducing reliable evidence.

30. Admittedly, to prove the above said incidences of cruelty, on the side of the petitioner/wife, she has not examined any other witness except the interested testimony of the petitioner. Further, on the side of the petitioner, she has marked the marriage invitation as Ex.P1, marriage photo as Ex.P2 and the copy of alleged police complaint dated 28.4.2003 as Ex.P3, given by the petitioner 16 days prior to filing of the petition for divorce and copy of receipt dated 29.4.2003 as Ex.P4 and therefore the oral testimony of the petitioner alone is available to prove the alleged incidences of cruelty. On the side of the respondent/husband, to falsify the contention of the petitioner, the respondent has deposed as RW.1 and also marked Exs.R1 to R13. Admittedly, the marriage was solemnised after six months of betrothal and both the petitioner and respondent’s parents’ houses are situated nearby. Further, the petitioner herself has admitted in her evidence that the petitioner and respondent were not living along with other family members and immediately after marriage, a separate portion was allotted for them and the parents of the respondent and one brother of the respondent viz. Ravikumar were living in another portion and another elder brother of the respondent viz. Kirubakaran was living in upstair portion separately and both the petitioner and the respondent were living only for six months in the above said house and then constructed a new house and lived separately.

31. Further, it is an admitted fact that the respondent’s father viz. Appadurai is a retired Railway employee and getting his pension and also having agricultural lands. It is also revealed that the elder brother of the respondent viz. Kirubakaran is a technically qualified person and he was working in private concern at Ambattur Industrial Estate. Further the petitioner has admitted in her evidence that there is no quarrel between her and the parents of the respondent while living separately in respondent’s parents’ house and after shifting to new house also, the parents of the respondent came there and the petitioner and respondent also used to visit the respondent’s parents’ house and also admitted that even after vacating the house, only the brother of the respondent viz. Kirubakaran was living in the portion and not rented out to anybody.

32. In the above circumstances, on the side of the petitioner, she has not stated any specific incident of demanding money from the petitioner by the family members of the respondent, particularly, by the respondent’s elder brother Kirubakaran. Therefore the allegations of the petitioner that the respondent’s father has chosen the petitioner only in the interest of her income from employment and the entire family of the respondent was depending upon the income of the respondent are not proved by reliable documentary evidence except the interested testimony of the petitioner and as rightly contended by the learned counsel for the respondent, the particulars of demand of money from the petitioner like date, month etc. are not stated in the petition and also not deposed at the time of evidence by the petitioner and therefore the above said incidences of cruelty alleged by the petitioner are not proved.

33. The second and third incidences of cruelty alleged by the petitioner are that the respondent had beaten the petitioner black and blue everyday for not asking money from her parents at the time of purchasing the house at No.49, Janagiram Reddy Colony, Villivakkam and also the respondent went to the extent of dashing the head of the petitioner on the wall by holding her hair in his hands and tortured the petitioner and hence the petitioner requested her parents, who helped by giving Rs.1 lakh from the pension and the respondent and his parents humiliated the petitioner and beaten severely. To prove the above said allegations, except the oral testimony of the petitioner, there is no other oral and documentary evidence. The petitioner has not stated any reason for non-examining the parents of the petitioner to prove the above said demand of money and payment of Rs.1 lakh amount as demanded by the respondent. Further, a perusal of oral evidence of the petitioner reveals that she has deposed completely contradictory with the averments in the petition. In one place, she has stated that before registering document, as demanded by respondent, Rs.25,000/- and after that another Rs.25,000/- was given by her mother and Rs.50,000/- was given by her father and totally Rs.1 lakh was given and after retirement, her father had given Rs.50,000/- i.e., after 2002. The above said fact is not stated in the petition. The same petitioner had again deposed contrary to the above said fact that at the time of purchase of the above said house, the father of the petitioner has not given any amount and only after retirement, he has given amount to the respondent. Admittedly, the above said flat purchased in the year 1998 and the father of the petitioner was retired only in the year 2002 and hence out of retirement benefits, Rs.1 lakh was given to purchase flat is proved as false. The parents of the petitioner alone are competent persons to speak about the facts but they were not examined by the petitioner. Therefore a perusal of oral testimony of the petitioner reveals that the petitioner has falsely deposed about the demand of money as alleged in the petition. The learned counsel for the respondent has further submitted that in the year 1998, the flat was purchased for Rs.4,65,000/- by availing housing loan for Rs.3 lakhs on 5.8.1998 from respondent’s bank under the capacity of an employee and to prove the same, Ex.R2 loan sanction letter has been marked and the respondent has availed Rs.75,000/- from Ind Bank Housing Limited on 17.8.1998 and to prove the same, Ex.R3 was marked and the petitioner’s mother gave hand loan of Rs.50,000/- and the respondent’s father gave hand loan of Rs.40,000/- and the respondent has repaid the hand loan of the petitioner’s mother and also the respondent’s father on instalment basis. The oral and documentary evidence adduced by the respondent reveal that the allegation of the petitioner that Rs.1 lakh was paid for purchase of the above said flat is false and therefore the alleged second and third cruelties are not proved.

34. With regard to fourth and fifth incidences of cruelty are concerned, except the oral testimony of the petitioner, no other evidence was adduced to prove the above said allegations. The learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that the above said incidences happened between the husband and wife and therefore the petitioner alone is competent to speak about the said fact. Per contra, the learned counsel for the respondent has submitted that if really the above said incidences happened, certainly the petitioner would have informed her parents or relatives or co-workers, but in this case, except the petitioner nobody was examined to prove the above said allegations.

35. Further, the petitioner has stated in her evidence that the respondent assaulted the petitioner and caused injuries and taken treatment in the hospital but she has not produced any document and not examined the doctor or parents of the petitioner or neighbour to prove the above said incident. It is further contended that the petitioner was forced to collect money from her parents and the respondent has beaten black and blue everyday for not asking money from her parents and also alleged that the respondent, his brother and father have jointly humiliated and harassed the petitioner to ask for money from her parents and also encouraged the respondent to beat the petitioner to collect money from her parents. The above allegations are all not proved by adducing reliable evidence. Therefore the fourth and fifth incidences of cruelty are not proved by the petitioner as rightly contended by the learned counsel for the respondent.

36. With regard to sixth and seventh incidences of cruelties are concerned, except the oral testimony of the petitioner, no other evidence like parents, brother, neighbour, co-worker who are competent witnesses was adduced to prove the above said allegations. As already discussed, the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent was held on 26.1.1996 and they were living as husband and wife till 25.4.2003. During the above said period, no complaint of any harassment or any complaint to the police was filed and therefore as contended by learned counsel for appellant/respondent the above said allegations have been made in the petition only for filing the petition for divorce and therefore the above said sixth and seventh cruelties are also not proved.

37. The Trial Court, only relying on the oral testimony of the petitioner, who is interested witness, granted divorce as if the alleged incidences were proved. The Trial Court has not considered the contentions of the respondent and the oral and documentary evidence adduced on the side of the respondent to disprove the contentions of the petitioner. Therefore, a careful reading of oral and documentary evidence adduced by both sides reveal that the petitioner has not proved the alleged incidences of cruelty by reliable oral and documentary evidence, but the Trial Court has wrongly held that as if the petitioner has proved the alleged incidences of cruelty.

38. At the time of argument before this Court, the learned counsel for the petitioner has contended that the marriage was held on 26.1.1996 and from 25.4.2003 onwards both husband and wife were not living together and therefore the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent has completely broken down beyond repair and it is a clear case of irretrievable break down of marriage between the parties and on that ground, he prayed for divorce. To substantiate the above said contention, he relied on two decisions as already stated. In the decision reported in SATISH SITOLE Vs. SMT. GANGA (AIR 2008 SC 3093), the Honourable Supreme Court has observed in para 12 as under:

“12. In the said circumstances, following the decision of this Court in Romesh Chander’s case (supra) we also are of the view that since the marriage between the parties is dead for all practical purposes and there is no chance of it being retrieved, the continuance of such marriage would itself amount to cruelty, and, accordingly, in exercise of our powers under Article 142 of the Constitution we direct that the marriage of the appellant and the respondent shall stand dissolved, subject to the appellant paying to the respondent a sum of Rupees Two lakhs by way of permanent alimony. In addition, the appellant shall also pay the costs of this appeal to the respondent assessed at Rs.25,000/-. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.”

39. As rightly contended by the learned counsel for the respondent, the Honourable Supreme Court has exercised the power under Article 142 of the Constitution and held that since for 14 years the appellant and respondent lived separately and all attempts for re-union failed, the marriage has been broken down irretrievably and dissolved the marriage in the above decision.

40. In another decision in SAPNA Vs. B. PRADEEP KUMAR (MANU/TN/0823/ 2012 = II (2012 DMC 35), relied on by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court also held that the marriage between the wife and husband has completely broken down beyond repair and it is clear case of irretrievable break down of marriage between the parties and therefore granted divorce.

41. In the instant case, the marriage was held on 26.1.1996 and both the respondent and petitioner were living together till 25.4.2003 as husband and wife and out of the said wedlock, they have two children. On the side of the petitioner, she has not proved the fact that the marriage has broken down irretrievably and on that ground alone the petitioner is not entitled to divorce.

42. From the above discussion, we are of the view that the petitioner/wife has not proved the alleged incidences of cruelty by her husband by adducing reliable evidence and the Trial Court has erroneously held that the alleged incidences of cruelty were proved and granted divorce and therefore the above said order of the Trial Court on the ground of cruelty is liable to be set aside.

43. We are also of the considered view that the petitioner wife is not entitled to any amount as permanent alimony since the petition filed by the petitioner/wife for divorce is not maintainable as already discussed in earlier paragraphs. Therefore the petitioner is not entitled for permanent alimony as prayed for in the petition and we answer the points accordingly.

 44.  In the result, the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is allowed and the order and decretal order dated 27.10.2009 passed by the          Trial Court in F.C.O.P.No.918  of 2003  are set aside and the petition in  F.C.O.P.No.918  of 2003  is dismissed.   Considering the relationship of the parties, there shall be no order as to costs.  Connected  MP.No.1 of 2010 is  closed.

           (C.N.J.)          (R.K.J.)
         16.8.2012
Index   : yes
Internet: yes
vks

Copy  to:

The Registrar,
Family Court, 
Chennai.

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Labels: cruelty ground for divorce under hindu marriage act.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Divorce on Cruelty Grounds in India

Grounds For Divorce in India.

In so many Judgments the Hon”ble Supreme Court and Hon”ble High Court has dissolved the marriage on the grounds of cruelty.

for example if the girl has filed a false complaint against the whole family members of the husbands and if the concerned magistrate has discharged the family members in the case of 498a IPC then its a cruelty upon the husband and good grounds for dissolved the marriage.

please see the recent judgment passed by the Hon”ble Delhi High Court in the matter of

See the whole Judgment:

MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 1 of 11
IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
MAT APP No. 98/2010
Judgment delivered on: 19.11.2010
Smt. Nitu Aggarwal ….. Appellant
Through: Mr.Rajiv Shukla, Adv.
Versus
Sh.Gireesh Gupta ….. Respondent
Through: Mr.Gyan Prakash, Adv.
CORAM:
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE KAILASH GAMBHIR,
1. Whether the Reporters of local papers may
be allowed to see the judgment? Yes
2. To be referred to Reporter or not? Yes
3. Whether the judgment should be reported
in the Digest? Yes
KAILASH GAMBHIR, J. Oral:
*
1. By this appeal filed under Section 28 of the
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 the appellant seeks to challenge
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 2 of 11
the judgment and decree dated 27.4.2010, passed by the
learned Additional District Judge, Delhi, whereby a decree
of judicial separation was passed.
2. Brief facts of the case relevant for deciding the
present appeal are that the parties got married on 5.11.03
at Noida according to Hindu rites and ceremonies and a
female child was born out of wedlock on 14.9.04. The
matrimonial relations between the parties were stained
right from the very beginning of their married life and
distressed by the behaviour of the appellant, the respondent
filed a petition under section 10 of the Hindu Marriage Act,
1955 for a decree of judicial separation on the ground of
cruelty which vide judgment dated 27.4.10 was granted.
Feeling aggrieved with the same, the appellant has filed the
present appeal.
3. Mr. Rajiv Shukla, counsel for the appellant
submits that the learned trial court has wrongly assumed
that the appellant had consumed some poisonous substance
with a view to commit suicide. The contention of the
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 3 of 11
counsel for the appellant is that the respondent used to
compel and force the appellant to consume certain
medicines under the pretext that the same were good for
her health and for the child in the womb. Counsel further
submits that the respondent also failed to prove on record
that an attempt of suicide by the appellant was made with
a view to coerce the respondent to accede to any of her
demands and in the absence of any such assertion on the
part of the respondent, no logic or rationale behind the
alleged attempt of suicide by the appellant could be
established by the respondent. Explaining the contradiction
on the part of the appellant in the FIR lodged by her under
Section 498A/406/34 IPC, counsel submits that even if the
appellant in the said FIR took a stand that the respondent
had given her something to drink, the same will not make
any difference vis-à-vis her stand in the matrimonial
proceedings where she had stated that the respondent used
to administer some medicines. Counsel thus submits that
there was a minor variation in the stand of the appellant
which would not amount to any kind of self contradiction on
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 4 of 11
her part. Counsel thus states that there is clear infirmity and
perversity in the findings of the learned trial court on this
aspect and the same should be set aside.
4. Assailing the impugned judgment on another
ground, counsel submits that the learned trial court has
wrongly observed that the implication of the relatives of the
respondent is in itself an act of cruelty against the
respondent. The contention of the counsel for the appellant
is that the mere fact that the said relatives were not charge
sheeted by the police would not show that the allegations
leveled by the appellant against the relatives of the
respondent were false. The contention of the counsel is
that at the stage of framing of charges, it would be for the
concerned Criminal Court to see whether based on the
allegations leveled by the appellant in her criminal
complaint such relatives are required to be proceeded
against or not.
5. Counsel for the respondent on the other hand
refutes the submissions made by the counsel for the
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 5 of 11
appellant and submits that the present appeal deserves to
be dismissed at the admission stage itself as the appellant
has failed to point out any material illegality or perversity in
the order passed by the learned trial court.
6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties.
7. The petition under Section 10 of the Hindu
Marriage Act was preferred by the respondent husband so
as to seek a decree of judicial separation from the appellant
on the ground of cruelty. The marriage between the parties
was solemnized according to Hindu rites and ceremonies on
5.11.2003 and both the parties are well educated
academically. One of the allegations leveled by the
respondent against the appellant is that the appellant had
consumed some poisonous drink on 18.8.2004 and her
condition became very critical in the morning of 18.8.2004
and she was immediately taken to Kailash Hospital, Noida
and it is only on account of the timely action taken by the
respondent and his parents that life of the appellant and
the unborn child could be saved. It is an admitted case of
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 6 of 11
the parties that subsequent to the filing of the said petition
by the respondent husband the appellant wife got
registered one criminal complaint under Section
498A/406/34 IPC vide FIR No. 498/2005 not only against
the respondent but his parents and some other relatives as

well. Some of the relatives implicated by the appellant in the
said complaint case were the residents of far off places like
Saharanpur and Baroda. It is also an admitted case of the
parties that the relatives of the respondent were not chargesheeted
by the police as no incriminating material was
found against them during the course of investigation. The
respondent has taken this false implication of his relatives
on the part of the appellant as a ground of cruelty. Learned
trial court has also granted decree of judicial separation in
favour of the respondent and against the appellant taking
the said two grounds clearly establishing the cruel conduct
of the appellant towards the respondent. Before the learned
trial court as well as before this court the appellant has
failed to disclose as to what kind of medicines were being
administered by the respondent to her during the stage of
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 7 of 11
pregnancy on the pretext of the same being good for her
health and that of the unborn child. It is incomprehensible
to accept the argument that the appellant who is a well
qualified lady having a degree of Chartered Accountancy
and Company Secretary would take the medicines without
even knowing what kind of medicines she was taking. The
appellant has also clearly taken a contradictory stand in
her criminal complaint, wherein she stated that she was
given something to drink by the respondent and his parents
on the pretext that it is good for her pregnancy. The
appellant has also not denied the fact that she was admitted
to Kailash Hospital in the morning of 18.8.2004 where she
was treated after having consumed some poisonous
substance. It is also not in dispute that the appellant did not
lodge any police complaint against the respondent or his
parents complaining about administration of some
poisonous medicines by her husband or his parents. The
learned trial court has duly taken into consideration all
these circumstances into account and thus has arrived at a
finding that such an attempt by the appellant to commit
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 8 of 11
suicide is an act of cruelty on her part upon her husband.
8. The concept of cruelty is of wide amplitude and has not
been defined in the act. The Apex Court through various
judicial pronouncements has explained the concept and
scope of cruelty. It would be useful here to refer to the
judgment of the Apex Court in the case of A. Jayachandra
vs. Aneel Kaur AIR 2005 SC 534 where it was held as
under:
“12. To constitute cruelty, the conduct complained of should be
“grave and weighty” so as to come to the conclusion that the
petitioner spouse cannot be reasonably expected to live with the
other spouse. It must be something more serious than “ordinary
wear and tear of married life”. The conduct, taking into
consideration the circumstances and background has to be
examined to reach the conclusion whether the conduct
complained of amounts to cruelty in the matrimonial law.
Conduct has to be considered, as noted above, in the background
of several factors such as social status of parties, their education,
physical and mental conditions, customs and traditions. It is
difficult to lay down a precise definition or to give exhaustive
description of the circumstances, which would constitute cruelty.
It must be of the type as to satisfy the conscience of the Court
that the relationship between the parties had deteriorated to
such an extent due to the conduct of the other spouse that it
would be impossible for them to live together without mental
agony, torture or distress, to entitle the complaining spouse to
secure divorce. Physical violence is not absolutely essential to
constitute cruelty and a consistent course of conduct inflicting
immeasurable mental agony and torture may well constitute
cruelty within the meaning of Section 10 of the Act. Mental
cruelty may consist of verbal abuses and insults by using filthy
and abusive language leading to constant disturbance of mental
peace of the other party.
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 9 of 11
13. The Court dealing with the petition for divorce on the ground
of cruelty has to bear in mind that the problems before it are
those of human beings and the psychological changes in a
spouse’s conduct have to be borne in mind before disposing of
the petition for divorce. However, insignificant or trifling, such
conduct may cause pain in the mind of another. But before the
conduct can be called cruelty, it must touch a certain pitch of
severity. It is for the Court to weigh the gravity. It has to be seen
whether the conduct was such that no reasonable person would
tolerate it. It has to be considered whether the complainant
should be called upon to endure as a part of normal human life.
Every matrimonial conduct, which may cause annoyance to the
other, may not amount to cruelty. Mere trivial irritations, quarrels
between spouses, which happen in day-to-day married life, may
also not amount to cruelty. Cruelty in matrimonial life may be of
unfounded variety, which can be subtle or brutal. It may be
words, gestures or by mere silence, violent or non-violent.”
Cruelty therefore is to be garnered taking the cumulative
effect of all the factors into play. The parties are well
educated and such an attempt to end her life by the
appellant would certainly cause mental agony to the
respondent. It would aggravate the case when the appellant
tried to commit suicide in the state of pregnancy. A highly
educated lady claiming that she was administered poisonous
substance which she was unaware of does not help her case.
No doubt in the petition the respondent did not give any
specific reason or cause behind such suicidal attempt but
it goes without saying that such an act even in the absence
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 10 of 11
of any reason certainly would constitute an act of cruelty on
the respondent husband.
9. Even on the second argument of the counsel for
the appellant, this court does not find any merit in it. The
complaint under Section 498A/406/34 IPC was lodged by the
appellant during the pendency of the said petition filed by
the respondent for judicial separation. In her complaint the
appellant roped in various relatives of the respondent which
include his uncle and aunt residing at Saharanpur and
brother and sister in law residing at Baroda. The learned
trial court is right in taking a view that false implication of
relatives who were residing at far off places from the
matrimonial home of the appellant and against whom there
are no specific allegations of cruelty in itself is an act of
cruelty by the appellant towards her husband. However, as
these relatives were not charge-sheeted by the police the
same would clearly show that the police did not find any
incriminating material against these relatives during the
investigation and this by itself is sufficient enough to show
MAT APP No. 98/2010 Page 11 of 11
that the appellant had roped in and implicated all these
relatives with vengeance to cause unnecessary harassment
to them and such act certainly would cause cruelty to the
husband with whom they are related. Implicating the
relatives with a motive to harass the relatives, residing in
different parts of the country, is nothing but a ruthless act of
harassment. Therefore, the respondent husband has
successfully proved cruelty on the part of the appellant on
both the counts.
10. In the light of the above, this court does not find
any infirmity or illegality in the findings arrived at by the
learned trial court. There is no merit in the present appeal
and the same is hereby dismissed at the stage of admission
itself.
November 19, 2010 KAILASH GAMBHIR, J

Divorce Lawyers in Delhi

 

 

Divorce Laws in India.

Divorce laws. Here is the list of various divorce laws in India for various religionsIndia has different divorce laws for different religions. Almost all the religions has their own divorce laws in India which are used among themselves. There are separate laws for inter-cast or inter-religion marriages.Divorce laws in India for Hindus is described in Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Hindu Marriage Act is also used for Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains as they don’t have their own separate marriage and  divorce laws. Here is the list of various divorce laws in India for various religions

Hindu (including Sikhs, Jains and Buddists) : Hindu Marriage Act, 1955

Muslims : Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939

Christians : Indian Divorce Act, 1869

Parsis : The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936

Inter-Cast of Inter-Religion : Special Marriage Act, 1954

The Indian Divorce, Act Special Marriage Act, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act and the Hindu Marriage Act, provide for annulment of the marriage, since its very inception, on grounds such as the non-fulfillment of mandatory conditions.. The Indian Divorce act requires confirmation by the High Court to come into effect.

Grounds for Divorce in India

In India divorce is granted mainly on 4 different grounds.

1. Adultery

2. Desertion

3. Cruelty

4. Impotency

5. Chronic Diseases

 

Divorce on ground of desertion,mental cruelty and false criminal complaints by wife.

 

Divorce on desertion,mental cruelty and false criminal complaints by wife.

Conjugal Rights of Marriage:  

. The respondent also denied conjugal rights to the

appellant so as to coerce him to stay separate from his mother. On

the above referred allegations touching mental agony and torture

divorce petition was filed.

 

Criminal Complaints filed by wife.

. The appellant immediately sent a notice on 9.5.03 asking the

respondent to join the company and cohabit with the appellant but

instead of joining the company of the appellant the respondent

initiated criminal case under section 498A of IPC not only against

the appellant and his mother but three other near relations who

were staying separately including the uncle, aunt and husband of

the aunt. All the persons accused of having committed the offence

under section 498A of IPC were arrested by the police and they

were detained in custody.

 

Mental torture:

. According to the learned counsel for the appellant arrest

and detention of the family members and near relations of the

appellant in false case has caused him utmost mental torture.

 

Desertion :

 

———————————————————————————————————

“There can not be absolutely two opinions regarding

legal proposition that if the wife filed false criminal cases

against the husband, her conduct does amount to causing

mental cruelty and torture to him, therefore, the husband

becomes entitled for a decree of divorce. The necessary

condition for constituting such legal cruelty is that the wife

has indulged into making false and reckless allegation by

filing false complaint to the police. A singular complaint filed

by wife under section 498A of IPC against the husband and

his family members can not indicate the tendency of wife to

indulge into making such false allegation.”

We fail to understand the logic behind the reasoning adopted by

the family court to hold that a singular complaint of this nature

under section 498A of IPC resulting in arrest and detention of the

family members and relatives thereby causing utmost

embarrassment, humiliation and suffering does not constitute

mental cruelty. It is illogical that more than one complaint are

necessary to be filed to constitute mental cruelty. In our view,

embarrassment, humiliation and suffering that is caused on account

of arrest and detention of appellant and his family members and

relatives in a false case does constitute mental cruelty to enable the

husband to seek decree of divorce on this sole ground. In our

considered opinion, the approach of the family court is wholly

perverse and the reasoning cannot be sustained in law. In regard to

other circumstances the family court has observed :

————————————————————————————

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

 

FAMILY COURT APPEAL NO. 66 OF 2006

 

Ajay Ashok Khedkar …. ….. ….. ….. Appellant.

V/s

Sou. Laleeta Ajay Khedkar….. …. ….. ….Respondent.

 

Mr.Hitesh Vyas, Adv. For the appellant.

Mr.Sachin S. Pande, Adv. For the respondent.

CORAM: A.P.DESHPANDE AND SMT. R.P. SONDURBALDOTA, JJ.

Date:12th April, 2010.

ORAL JUDGMENT: (Per Deshpande, J.)

 

This is family court appeal filed by the unsuccessful husband

whose petition for divorce has been dismissed by the Family Court.

The appellant and the respondent’s marriage was solemnized as per

Hindu rites and customs at Pune on 8.3.2001. The marriage was

an arranged marriage and after the marriage the respondent came

to reside with the appellant. The appellant’s mother resides along

with the appellant. The petition for divorce was filed on the

ground of mental cruelty under section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

 

2. According to the petitioner on the wedding night itself the

respondent alleged that she was deceived in regard to income of

the appellant. The respondent allegedly stated that the salary of

the appellant as informed to her was much more than what he was

actually receiving. It is also alleged that with reference to the

number of spectacle the respondent taunted the appellant by saying

that she was made to perform marriage with a blind person.

Touching those issues the respondent allegedly started quarreling

with the petitioner and insulting the petitioner. It is the case of the

appellant that since beginning the behaviour of the respondent was

arrogant and rude and immediately after the marriage the

respondent was insisting that the petitioner should stay separately

from his mother in one of the two flats owned by the appellant’s

family situated at Raviwar Peth, Pune. According to the appellant

he tried to convince the respondent that his mother is old and there

is no one else to look after her and hence refused to stay separately.

It is also the case of the appellant that the respondent gave threats

that she would commit suicide if the appellant fails to reside

separately. The respondent also denied conjugal rights to the

appellant so as to coerce him to stay separate from his mother. On

the above referred allegations touching mental agony and torture

divorce petition was filed.

3. Sometime in December 2002 the respondent went to the

house of her parents for delivery. She delivered a girl child on

26.2.03. Despite passage of enough time the respondent did not

join the company of the appellant. According to the appellant

because of the insistence on the part of respondent to stay

separately the marital life was disturbed and peace and harmony

was lost.

On 3.5.03 the father of the respondent brought the

respondent to the house of the appellant but without meeting the

appellant or his mother respondent’s father went away. On 6.5.03

the respondent called her parents and brother at the house of the

appellant. The near relations of the respondent quarreled with the

petitioner and his mother and after creating a scene threatened the

appellant that they would implicate the appellant and members of

his family in false criminal cases. So threatening the appellant,

father and brother of the respondent took her away along with

them. While leaving the appellant’s residence they said that only if

he resides separately the respondent will be sent back. The

appellant immediately sent a notice on 9.5.03 asking the

respondent to join the company and cohabit with the appellant but

instead of joining the company of the appellant the respondent

initiated criminal case under section 498A of IPC not only against

the appellant and his mother but three other near relations who

were staying separately including the uncle, aunt and husband of

the aunt. All the persons accused of having committed the offence

under section 498A of IPC were arrested by the police and they

were detained in custody. This is the main circumstance which is

relied upon by the learned counsel for the appellant to contend that

lodging of false case which resulted in arrest and detention of

family members of the appellant is singularly sufficient enough to

hold that the respondent is guilty of causing mental cruelty and

agony to the appellant and thus pressed for grant of decree of

divorce. According to the learned counsel for the appellant arrest

and detention of the family members and near relations of the

appellant in false case has caused him utmost mental torture.

During pendnecy of divorce petition the said criminal case came to

be decided by a judgment dated 13.5.05 by Judicial Magistrate,

First Class, Pune acquitting the appellant and all his family

members from the charge under section 498A of IPC.

4. Perusal of the judgment clearly reveals that the prosecution

utterly failed to prove the case put forth by the complainant. The

Judicial Magistrate has recorded categoric finding that the

complainant’s own testimony falsifies the prosecution case that the

complainant was treated cruely and was harassed by the accused

persons with a view to coerce her and her parents to meet their

unlawful demand of Rs.50,000/.

The Magistrate has totally

disbelieved the version of the complainant/wife and has acquitted

the accused persons. On a careful reading of the judgment

rendered in the case of prosecution under section 498A of IPC one

thing is crystal clear and it can be safely assumed that the wife had

filed a false case not only against her husband and motherinlaw

but had unnecessarily roped in other near relations. It is obvious

that on account of arrest and detention of the husband and his

family members respondent has treated the appellant with utmost

mental cruelty and the appellant has suffered agony. It will not be

out of place to mention that the complaint filed by the wife was

calculatedly designed in as much as it was a sort of counter blast to

the divorce petition filed by the husband. The appellant had filed

divorce petition on 16.6.03 whereas the complaint was lodged by

the respondentwife

on 11.7.03.

5. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that the appellant

and his family members including ladies who did not stay along

with the appellant were arrested and detained causing utmost

humiliation and embarrassment and agony to the appellant. This

solitary incidence would itself constitute mental cruelty even if

other circumstances are not taken into account and thus the trial

court has erred in law in dismissing the divorce petition. Para 29 of

the judgment of family court deals with this aspect of the matter by

observing :

“There can not be absolutely two opinions regarding

legal proposition that if the wife filed false criminal cases

against the husband, her conduct does amount to causing

mental cruelty and torture to him, therefore, the husband

becomes entitled for a decree of divorce. The necessary

condition for constituting such legal cruelty is that the wife

has indulged into making false and reckless allegation by

filing false complaint to the police. A singular complaint filed

by wife under section 498A of IPC against the husband and

his family members can not indicate the tendency of wife to

indulge into making such false allegation.”

We fail to understand the logic behind the reasoning adopted by

the family court to hold that a singular complaint of this nature

under section 498A of IPC resulting in arrest and detention of the

family members and relatives thereby causing utmost

embarrassment, humiliation and suffering does not constitute

mental cruelty. It is illogical that more than one complaint are

necessary to be filed to constitute mental cruelty. In our view,

embarrassment, humiliation and suffering that is caused on account

of arrest and detention of appellant and his family members and

relatives in a false case does constitute mental cruelty to enable the

husband to seek decree of divorce on this sole ground. In our

considered opinion, the approach of the family court is wholly

perverse and the reasoning cannot be sustained in law. In regard to

other circumstances the family court has observed :

“At the most one can infer that this conduct of the

respondent may have caused some disharmony between the

couple but in no way it can be said that it was sufficient to

constitute a mental cruelty to petitioner or his mother.”

Without deliberating on all the circumstances in detail we are of

the clear view that cumulative effect of the behaviour and conduct

of the respondent is good enough to draw an inference that

respondent has caused utmost mental pain and suffering which

constitute mental cruelty to the appellant and hence the appellant

is entitled for decree of divorce on the ground of cruelty.

6. This brings us to the consideration of question of granting

maintenance to the girl child who is aged about 8 years. The

family court in exercise of powers under section 24 had granted

interim maintenance of Rs.700/p.

m. whereas this Court by an

interim order has raised it to Rs.1000/p.

m. The appellant so also

the respondent are both gainfully employed. They are earning in

the range of Rs.5000 to 7000 per month each. The child is in

custody of the respondentmother.

Learned counsel for the

appellant on instructions from his client who is present in the court

submitted that the appellant would pay a sum of Rs.1.5 lacs

towards permanent alimony for the maintenance of child. Having

found the said amount insufficient we persuaded the counsel for

the appellant to raise the amount so that monthly interest on the

said amount works out in the range of Rs.2000 per month. The

mother of the appellant has come forward to contribute further

sum of Rs.1.5 lacs towards maintenance of the child. In our view if

the appellant pays sum of Rs.3 lacs by way of permanent alimony

for the maintenance of child the said amount if kept in fixed

deposit can fetch interest of Rs.2000/per month and the same

could be utilized by the respondent for upbringing of the daughter.

In the result we pass the following order:

(i) The marriage of the appellant and respondent stands dissolved by a decree of divorce under section 13(1)(ia);

(ii) The appellant shall pay sum of Rs.3 lacs by way of permanent alimony for the maintenance of the girl child. The said amount of Rs.3 lacs shall be invested in fixed deposit in a nationalized bank and the respondent is permitted to withdraw the interest accrued thereon quarterly. The amount of Rs.3 lacs shall be invested in the fixed deposit within two months from today in the name of the minor child and the respondent would be shown as her guardian;

(iii) The said sum of Rs.3 lacs shall be kept invested in fixed deposit till the child attains majority.

(iv) Appeal is allowed with no order as to costs.

 

At this stage the learned counsel for the respondent seeks stay of this order. Having regard to the peculiar facts and circumstances we do not find any reason to stay the impugned order. Hence the prayer is rejected.