IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
A. SELVAM, P. KALAIYARASAN, JJ.
Anand Gopal - Appellant
Versus
Gayathri - Respondent
C.M.A. Nos. 3135 & 3136 of 2017 & C.M.P. Nos. 19339 & 19348 of 2017
Decided On : 12-03-2018
Divorce - Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 - Section 13[1][i-a], Section 9 - Summary of Acts and Sections: The court discussed the grounds for divorce under Section 13[1][i-a] of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and the provisions for restitution of conjugal rights under Section 9 of the same Act. The interpretation of cruelty, desertion, and lodging complaints with the police were key legal provisions influencing the court's decision.
Fact of the Case:
The husband filed for divorce on the grounds of cruelty, while the wife filed for restitution of conjugal rights. The court analyzed the allegations of cruelty, desertion, and impotency, along with the actions of both parties.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the allegations of cruelty and desertion were not sufficient to warrant a divorce, and the wife's intention was to live with the husband. Therefore, the petition for divorce was dismissed, and the petition for restitution of conjugal rights was allowed.
Issues: The issues revolved around the allegations of cruelty, desertion, impotency, and the actions of both parties, including lodging complaints with the police and changing legal petitions.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the alleged actions and allegations did not meet the threshold for granting a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, and the wife's intention to reconcile was evident. The change in the husband's legal petitions also influenced the court's decision.
Final Decision: Both Civil Miscellaneous Appeals were dismissed, confirming the trial court's decision to dismiss the petition for divorce and allow the petition for restitution of conjugal rights.
P. Kalaiyarasan, J.
1. These two Civil Miscellaneous Appeals have been filed by the appellant/husband against the Common Order, dated 30.08.2017 passed by the VI Additional Family Court at Chennai, dismissing O.P.No.4331 of 2011 for divorce and allowing O.P.No.1248 of 2012 for restitution of conjugal rights.
2. The husband filed O.P.No.4331 of 2011 under Section 13[1][i-a] of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, for divorce on the ground of cruelty. The wife filed O.P.No.1248 of 2012 under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, for restitution of conjugal rights. The marriage was solemnised between the appellant/husband and respondent/wife on 06.09.2009 as per Hindu Rites and Customs at Chennai.
3. The contention of the appellant/husband is that the wife had been arrogant with the petitioner and harassed him from the beginning of the marriage and she deserted him on 13.07.2010 without any valid reason and has been living separately. She took all her belongings and articles, thus, expressed her unwillingness to live with the petitioner. She also lodged a complaint with the police and caused cruelty.
4. The respondent/wife per contra, contends that the husband and his parents never treated her properly and on the death of her father, neither the petitioner nor his parents expressed their sorrow. The wife having found her husband medically unfit for the marriage life, she being homeopathic doctor, gave him treatment and when it came to the notice of his parents, the husband stopped taking medicines at their instance. They started blaming the respondent for not giving birth to baby. The respondent lodged a complaint only to get back her articles and not otherwise.
5. The husband and the wife examined themselves as P.W.1 and R.W.1 and nine exhibits on the side of the husband and three exhibits on the side of the respondent were marked. The trial Court after analysing both oral and documentary evidence of both sides passed the common order as aforesaid.
6. The learned counsel for the appellant contends that continuing the marriage life by the appellant with his wife is totally impossible when the wife has made grave allegation of impotency against him. Further, the wife took away all her belongings from the matrimonial home, by preferring a complaint with the police and the same demonstrates that she is not interested to continue her matrimonial life. The wife also deserted her husband on 13.07.2010 permanently and she has been living with her mother. Therefore, the appellant is entitled to get divorce on the ground of cruelty.
7. The learned counsel for the respondent inter alia argued that the alleged cruelty in the petition are not sufficient to severe the marriage bond and the allegations made against the petitioner are trivial in nature and the trial Court, after analysing both oral and documentary evidence, has rightly dismissed the petition for divorce and allowed the petition for restitution of conjugal rights.
8. The fact remains that the marriage between the appellant and respondent was solemnised on 06.09.2009 as per Hindu Rites and Customs at Chennai and they are not blessed with any child. The main allegation of cruelty is that the respondent/ wife was very adamant from the beginning and she left the matrimonial home on 13.07.2010 without any valid reason. It is further alleged that she lodged criminal complaint which led the appellant to move the court for anticipatory bail. The respondent/wife has also admitted in her evidence that she left the matrimonial home on 13.07.2010, after the demise of her father. Further, she says that she was not treated properly. Therefore, it cannot be said that she left the matrimonial home without any justifiable reason.
9. The complaint given by the wife is marked as Ex.R2. The complaint discloses that the same was lodged only to get back her articles from her husband. But the husband moved anticipatory bail application, apprehending that case has been filed under Section 498-A of India
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