IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD
K. LAKSHMAN, VAKITI RAMAKRISHNA REDDY, JJ.
M.Upender Kumar - Appellant
Vs.
Suryakala @ Jyothi - Respondent
Family Court Appeal No.47 of 2016
Decided On : 23-01-2026
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. marriage dissolution petition filed citing cruelty. (Para 2 , 3) |
| 2. claims of mutual accusations and allegations of cruelty. (Para 4 , 5 , 6) |
| 3. evidence including witness testimonies presented. (Para 7 , 8) |
| 4. court evaluates evidence and lack of marriage restoration application. (Para 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15) |
| 5. assessment of cruelty lacks sufficient proof. (Para 20 , 21 , 24) |
| 6. mediation efforts and settlement proposals discussed. (Para 22 , 23) |
| 7. irretrievable breakdown principle discussed in divorce context. (Para 25 , 26) |
| 8. divorce granted and related terms stipulated. (Para 27 , 28) |
JUDGMENT :
(Per Hon’ble Sri Justice K.Lakshman)
Heard Sri S.R.Sanjeev Kumar, learned counsel for the appellant and Smt.R.V.Indira Kumari, learned counsel for the respondent.
2. This appeal is filed under Section 19 of the Family Courts Act, 1984 challenging the order dated 14.10.2015 in FCOP No.166 of 2013 passed by the learned Judge, Family Court at Secunderabad. The appellant is the husband, and the respondent is the wife.
3. The appellant filed a petition under Section 13(i) (ia) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 against the respondent seeking dissolution of marriage, on the ground of cruelty.
4. The appellant contended that his marriage with the appellant was performed on 23.05.2010 as per Hindu rites and customs. It is an arranged marriage. The said marriage was consummated. The respondent became pregnant and she got aborted. They lived happily for a period of five months. Thereafter, the respondent started harassing him mentally. She developed suspicion over his character. She used to abuse the appellant and his parents in filthy language and also abused him before his colleagues and friends. She has suicidal tendency. She also developed signs of schizophrenia and behaved negatively towards him. Thus, the respondent subjected the appellant to cruelty. He tolerated her with a fond hope that she may change her behavior. There was no change in her behavior.
5. It is further stated that a panchayat was held on 09.09.2012, she was sent along with her parents with all her belongings. The appellant tried his level best to live with the respondent. He became a victim of mental cruelty in the hands of respondent. He lost his patience and could not concentrate on his work. Thus, the appellant filed the aforesaid OP against the respondent seeking dissolution of marriage on the ground of cruelty.
6. Respondent filed counter denying the said allegations. According to the respondent, her parents gave an amount of Rs.2,70,000/- cash and also presented household articles and furniture etc., at the time of marriage to the appellant. The appellant had an illegal affair with one Preethisagar, his colleague. Her parents held panchayat and elders advised the appellant his family members to mend their ways. There was no change in his behavior. The appellant and his parents used to blackmail her and also beat her blue and black. Due to the said continuous physical harassment, she got aborted. Another panchayat was held. Despite advise of the elders, there was no change in the behavior of the appellant. To get rid of the respondent, to continue his illegal relationship with Preethisagar, the appellant filed the aforesaid OP seeking dissolution of marriage on the ground of cruelty.
7. To prove the cruelty, the appellant got examined himself as P.W.1 and his relative as P.W.2. He filed Ex.A1/marriage card, Ex.A2/marriage photographs, Ex.A3/legal notice dated 13.09.2012, Ex.A4/acknowledgment and Ex.A5/reply notice dated 25.09.2012.
8. To disprove the said cruelty, respondent got examined herself as R.W.1. However, she did not exhibit any documents.
9. On consideration of the said evidence both oral and documentary, vide impugned order dated 14.10.2015, learned Judge, Family Court, Secunderabad, dismissed the said OP holding that the appellant herein failed to plead and prove cruel acts of the respondent. Challenging the said order, the appellant preferred
The court established that the inability to reconcile due to ongoing suspicions and allegations justified the dissolution of marriage despite insufficient evidence of cruelty under the Hindu Marriage....
In divorce proceedings, the burden of proof lies with the petitioner to demonstrate cruelty; failure to establish such claims leads to case dismissal. Irretrievable breakdown alone does not suffice f....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the interpretation of cruelty in the context of marital relationships, including the impact of mental cruelty, adultery, and false allegations on t....
The court emphasized the importance of evaluating matrimonial settlement terms and the burden of proof regarding cruelty in divorce petitions, leading to the dissolution of marriage due to long-term ....
Point of law: Family Court erred in not considering the matter on its merits as appellant has specifically pleaded grounds of cruelty and the same are proved in evidence
Point of Law : Once parties have separated and the separation has continued for a sufficient length of time and one of them has presented a petition for divorce, it can well be presumed that marriage....
Previous decree of mutual separation insufficient for divorce; only judicial decree can validate dissolution of marriage under substantial grounds like cruelty.
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