Chhattisgarh HC Grants Divorce Over Wife’s Refusal to Live with Husband’s Parents
The Chhattisgarh High Court has granted divorce to a man, ruling that his wife’s refusal to live with his parents amounted to mental cruelty. The court observed that it is against customary norms in India for a son to abandon his parents at the wife’s request.
Case Background: Prashant vs. Isha
Prashant and Isha were married in June 2017. Shortly after marriage, Isha insisted on living separately, citing her discomfort with rural life and her desire to focus on her career. Despite Prashant’s efforts to compromise, including renting a separate house in Raipur, Isha continued to remain distant and showed disrespect.
Eventually, Isha left their home without explanation. This led Prashant to file for divorce, claiming mental cruelty due to her behavior and refusal to live with his family.
Trial Court’s Decision
Initially, the trial court in Raipur dismissed Prashant’s divorce plea, citing insufficient evidence. However, Prashant appealed to the Chhattisgarh High Court, arguing that Isha’s actions, including her refusal to live with his family and her unexplained absences, caused significant emotional distress.
High Court’s Ruling: Cruelty and Alimony
The High Court overturned the trial court’s decision, ruling in favor of Prashant. The court found that Isha’s refusal to live with her husband’s family without valid reason and her lack of commitment to the marriage amounted to cruelty. The court noted that Isha had changed the locks on their home without informing Prashant, further demonstrating her lack of involvement in the marriage.
Despite Isha’s claims of wanting to continue the marriage, the court stated that her actions suggested otherwise. The High Court granted the divorce and ordered Prashant to pay Rs 5 lakh in permanent alimony to Isha within two months.
Key Points of the Ruling:
- Mental cruelty due to refusal to live with husband’s family.
- Abandonment of marital responsibilities by the wife.
- Divorce granted, along with permanent alimony of Rs 5 lakh.
This case underscores the importance of mutual respect and understanding in marriage, particularly regarding family dynamics.
