Jharkhand News : In an important judgment, the Jharkhand High Court has ruled that divorce cannot be granted solely on the basis of suspicion or general allegations. The court dismissed a husband’s plea for divorce and upheld the decision of the Family Court.
The Division Bench clearly stated that serious allegations such as adultery, cruelty, or desertion must be supported by strong, credible, and reliable evidence. Mere suspicion or unsubstantiated claims are not sufficient grounds for dissolving a marriage.
What the Court Observed
The High Court noted that the husband had accused his wife of having an illicit relationship, cruelty, and desertion. However, no direct evidence, documents, or supporting material—such as call detail records—were produced before the court to substantiate these claims.
The court further observed that ordinary disagreements or quarrels in married life cannot be treated as cruelty under law. Similarly, the wife leaving the matrimonial home could not be legally termed as desertion, as the essential legal ingredients required to prove desertion were not established.
The Bench held that the Family Court had properly evaluated the evidence on record and found no legal infirmity in its decision.
Background of the Case
The couple was married in 2011 and has two children. The husband alleged that his wife had an extramarital relationship and had left the matrimonial home along with the children and household belongings. On these grounds, he sought divorce.
After examining the facts and evidence, the High Court concluded that the husband failed to prove his allegations, leading to the rejection of his divorce petition.
Why This Ruling Is Important
This judgment is considered significant as it reinforces the principle that marriage cannot be dissolved on the basis of suspicion, assumptions, or unproven allegations. The ruling sends a clear message that courts require concrete and reliable evidence before granting divorce, especially in cases involving serious accusations.
