What constitutes mental cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955? Do withdrawn accusations of unchastity in a written statement absolve a husband of liability for cruelty?

Key Points: - Wife filed for divorce under Section 13(1)(ia) of Hindu Marriage Act on grounds of cruelty; trial court granted decree based on husband's allegations of unchastity in written statement, despite later amendment withdrawing them (!) (!) - High Court affirmed trial court's decision, finding husband's accusations constituted mental cruelty; husband's appeal for restitution of conjugal rights dismissed (!) [1000078010001] - Supreme Court held that levelling accusations of unchastity and extra-marital relations is a grave assault on wife's character, honour, and reputation, amounting to worst form of insult and cruelty sufficient for divorce [judgement_subject][1000078010006] - Such allegations in written statement satisfy legal requirements for cruelty, even if made in pleadings or cross-examination [1000078010006] - Subsequent amendment deleting accusations does not absolve husband of cruelty, as impact persists; cruelty assessed by intensity and stigmatic impact, not duration or frequency (!) [1000078010010] - Husband's reply dated 17.1.90 reaffirmed allegations, rendering withdrawal insincere; trial court order on amendment clarified it does not erase prior reliance (!) [1000078010008][1000078010009] - Courts below correctly relied on original written statement allegations, which were deliberate, pungent, and persisted over time, making matrimonial home untenable [1000078010007][1000078010010] - Supreme Court dismissed husband's appeals, confirming divorce decree and finding no scope for reconciliation given mutual hatred [1000078010011] (!)

What constitutes mental cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955?

Do withdrawn accusations of unchastity in a written statement absolve a husband of liability for cruelty?