Delhi High Court Grants Divorce to Man, Citing Extreme Cruelty by Wife
The Delhi High Court recently granted a man a divorce, citing extreme cruelty by his wife, who acted as a widow while he was still alive. The court emphasized that such behavior is highly distressing for any husband, especially when he is in need of care and compassion.
A bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Neena Bansal Krishna stated, “Nothing can be more harrowing for a husband than seeing his wife act as a widow during his lifetime, particularly when he is seriously injured. Such conduct is an act of extreme cruelty.”
The court dismissed the wife’s appeal against a family court’s decision that granted her husband a divorce. The High Court found that there was no possibility of reconciliation between the couple, as their relationship was plagued with false allegations, police reports, and criminal trials, which amounted to mental cruelty.
The couple, who married in April 2009, had a daughter in October 2011. The wife left the matrimonial home shortly before delivering their child. The husband filed for divorce, alleging that his wife was indifferent and uninterested in her matrimonial duties. He claimed that she refused to do household chores, forcing his father to take over those responsibilities.
The wife denied these allegations, asserting that her husband had encouraged her to visit her parental home, from where she returned after three days. She also refuted the claim that she stayed away from her matrimonial home for 147 days.
The husband further alleged that his wife often quarreled with his family over trivial matters. He recounted an incident from April 2011 when he had a slipped disc, and instead of caring for him, his wife removed her vermillion, broke her bangles, and wore a white suit, declaring herself a widow. The court deemed this act as a complete rejection of their matrimonial relationship.
The bench clarified that individual choices, such as fasting or not fasting on “Karwa Chauth,” may not be considered acts of cruelty. However, the wife’s overall conduct, including her disregard for Hindu marital rituals, indicated a lack of respect for her husband and their marriage.
The court concluded that the wife’s behavior reflected her unwillingness to continue the marriage, leading to the decision to grant the husband a divorce.
