Supreme Court: Marriage Is Not a Casual Commitment
The Supreme Court recently heard a transfer petition filed by a wife seeking to save her marriage. A Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay Shreeniwas Oka presided over the case, emphasizing that marriage is not a casual institution where one marries today and divorces tomorrow.
Case Background
The wife requested the court’s intervention to save her marriage, expressing willingness to give it another chance. However, the husband opposed the plea, citing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The couple had lived together for only 40 days and had been separated for nearly two years.
The husband claimed the marriage was a “honey trap,” alleging his wife was only interested in his money and had demanded Rs. 2 crores as a settlement. On the other hand, the wife argued that her life and career were ruined after leaving Canada during the COVID-19 lockdown to marry him.
Court’s Observations
Justice Kaul remarked, “What to do when two good people cannot get along?” The bench pointed out cultural differences, with the husband emphasizing traditional family values like caring for parents, while the wife had a more independent perspective shaped by her life in Canada.
The court noted, “Looking after your parents is one thing, but if you expect someone to give up their life and career for this, it may not align with modern realities.”
Marriage Breakdown or Misunderstanding?
After reviewing the case, the bench concluded that the issues raised by both parties appeared “silly” and had not escalated to a complete breakdown of the marriage. The court stated, “Marriage is not a casual thing. We can’t adopt a western approach of marrying today and divorcing tomorrow. Both parties need to make an effort before concluding there’s nothing left in the relationship.”
The court also declined to use its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to dissolve the marriage, explaining that such powers are reserved for cases of complete marital breakdown, which this was not.
Mediation Advised
The bench urged the couple to undergo mediation, stating, “We cannot save the marriage unless both parties want it. But mediation might help resolve these differences and rebuild their relationship.”
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s remarks highlight the importance of treating marriage as a serious commitment. It emphasized the need for both partners to make genuine efforts to resolve differences before considering divorce.
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