High Court Upholds Divorce: Mental Cruelty Defined

The Punjab and Haryana High Court confirmed a divorce ruling by a family court, citing mental cruelty by a wife towards her husband. The wife's derogatory remarks and behavior were deemed legally unacceptable. Both parties had been living apart for six years, making reconciliation improbable.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has confirmed a family court's decision to grant divorce to a man, identifying the wife's conduct as mental cruelty. The husband had been labeled 'hijda' by his wife, a term that the court found to constitute severe psychological harm.

The ruling by Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi emphasized that the appellant-wife's behavior amounted to cruelty under legal definitions, referencing earlier Supreme Court judgments. The long-standing separation of six years between the couple further underscored the irreparable breakdown of marriage.

The court noted that while the wife denied allegations and presented counterclaims against her in-laws, these could not be substantiated. Given the significant lapse in cohabitation and the impossibility of reconciliation, the court found no legal grounds to overturn the family court's decision.

(With inputs from agencies.)