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SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

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CASE NO.:

Appeal (civil) 3930 of 2002

PETITIONER:

PARVEEN MEHTA

Vs.

RESPONDENT:

INDERJIT MEHTA

DATE OF JUDGMENT: 11/07/2002

BENCH:

D.P. MOHAPATRA, BRIJESH KUMAR.

JUDGMENT:

D.P.MOHAPATRA,J.

Leave granted.

What is the meaning and import of the

expression ’cruelty’ as a matrimonial offence is the core

question on the determination of which depends the result

and the fate of this case.

The appellant is the wife of the respondent. They

were married according to Hindu rites and customs on 6th

December, 1985. The marriage was preceded by

negotiation between the two families, ring exchange

ceremony, etc. A meeting between the boy and the girl was

also arranged at Yamuna Nagar in the State of Haryana.

After marriage the spouses stayed together at Panipat

where the respondent was posted as a Judicial Officer.

They lived together till 28th April, 1986 when they parted

company never to stay together again. It is the case of the

respondent that right from the first day of the marriage he

sensed something abnormal with his wife; he was unable

to consummate the marriage as there was no