Defamatory claims grounds for divorce: Bombay HC
Bombay High Court
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
FAMILY COURT APPEAL NO.71 OF 2006
Mr. M .. Appellant
Vs
Mrs. M .. Respondent
–
Shri Abhijit Sarwate along with ms. Kokila Kalra for the Appellant.
Shri M.A. Utagikar for the Respondent.
CORAM : A.S. OKA & S.C. GUPTE, JJ
DATE ON WHICH SUBMISSIONS WERE HEARD : 27TH NOVEMBER 2013
DATE ON WHICH JUDGMENT IS PRONOUNCED: 7TH FEBRUARY 2014
JUDGMENT ( PER A.S. OKA, J )
1. By this Family Court Appeal, the Appellant husband has taken an exception to the judgment and decree dated 5th April 2006 passed by the learned Judge of the Family Court, Pune.We have blocked the names of the parties for the benefit of the parties considering the rival allegations.
2. The Appellant husband filed a Petition for seeking a decree of divorce under Clause (ia) of Subsection (1) of Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The marriage was solemnized on 3rd July 1998. The divorce was sought on the ground of cruelty.The ground of cruelty is based on the allegation that a false prosecution was initiated at the instance of the Respondent against the Appellant and his family members for the offence punishable under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. In the Petition for divorce, the Appellant has set out various details and has alleged that the manner in which the prosecution was conducted caused enormous mental cruelty to him and to his family members. It is pointed out that the prosecution resulted into the acquittal.The Respondent wife denied the allegations by filing a written statement. The Appellant examined himself. The Respondent examined herself.The Appellant examined two other witnesses. The Respondent also examined one witness. The learned Judge of the Family Court held that the Appellant failed to substantiate the allegations of cruelty.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the Appellant has taken us through the pleadings and the notes of evidence. He pointed out the consistent conduct of the Respondent as reflected from the evidence on record. He also invited our attention to the judgment and order of the Criminal Court by which the Appellant and his family members were acquitted in a case where allegations against the Appellant and his family members were of the commission of the offence punishabl eunder Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code ( for short “IPC”). He submitted that filing of such a false case against the Appellant and his family members and the manner in which the case was conducted caused mental cruelty to the husband. He relied upon a decision of the Division Bench of this Court in the case of Nitin Ramesh Dhiwar v. Sou. Roopali Nitin Dhiwar
1. He also relied upon an unreported decision of this Court in the case of Nagesh Dhanapp Chikanti v. Sau. Manisha Nagesh Chilkanti
2. He relied upon a decision of the Apex Court in the case of V. Bhagat Vs. Mrs. D. Bhagat
3. He pointed out that in the written statement, the wife has alleged that due to the mental and physical illtreatment of the Appellant, she suffered from arthritis. He also pointed out that in the written statement, the wife has alleged that due to the ill treatment given to her by the Appellant and his family members, her father suffered a shock and due to shock, he expired on 22nd March 2003. The learned counsel urged that these unsubstantiated allegations of serious nature caused mental cruelty to the Appellant husband.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the Respondent submitted that mere acquittal in the prosecution under Section 498A of the IPC by itself will not amount to cruelty. Inviting our attention to the judgment of the Criminal Court, he urged that there is no finding recorded by the Criminal Court that the allegations made by the 1 2012(7) ALL MR 315 2 FCA No.158 of 2008 decided on 6th May 2010 3 AIR 1994 SC 710(1) Respondent wife were false. He submitted that the only finding recorded by the learned Magistrate is that the prosecution could not establish the ingredients of the offence on the basis of evidence on record. He submitted that no other allegation of cruelty has been substantiated. The learned counsel appearing for the Respondent wife submitted that even if this Court is inclined to take a view that the allegations of cruelty are proved, this is a fit case to grant permanent alimony under Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 ( for short “the said Act”).
5.As far as the plea of the Respondent for grant of permanent alimony under Section 25 of the said Act is concerned, the learned counsel for the Appellant relied upon a decision of the Division Bench of this Court in the case of Smt. Sudha Suhas Nandanvankar v. Suhas Ramrao Nandanvankar. He urged that when it is established that the wife has harassed the husband, the Court must decline to grant permanent alimony under Section 25 of the said Act. He also relied upon a decision of the Apex Court on this aspect in the case of Deb Narayan Halder v. Smt. Anushree Halder
In the said decision, the Apex Court held that a wife who leaves matrimonial home without any justification is not entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
4 AIR 2005 Bombay 62
5 AIR 2003 SC 3174
6. We have given careful consideration to the submissions.
We have perused the pleadings, notes of evidence as well as the record
of the case. It will be necessary to make a reference to the averments
made in the Petition for divorce filed by the Appellant. The affidavit
inlieu of examinationinchief of the Appellant is virtually a replica of
the Petition. The marriage between the parties was solemnized on 3
rd
July 1998. It appears from his pleadings and evidence that the first
dispute between the parties was during the Diwali of 1998. It is
alleged that contrary to the wishes of the Appellant, the Respondent
proceeded along with her brother to her parents' house at Solapur. A
reference is made to certain petty quarrels between the Appellant and
the Respondent.
7. It is alleged that in October 1998, the Respondent's father
called up the Appellant in his office and abused him by making
allegation against him that he is not properly looking after the
Respondent. It is alleged that in September/October 1998, the
Respondent accompanied by her father and his cousins Sudhir and
Pradeep visited the Appellant's office and fought with him. It is alleged
that for a period of one year, the Respondent was away from her
matrimonial home and she returned to the matrimonial home in the
second week of June 2000. After she returned, there was a quarrel
between the parents of the Appellant on one hand and the Respondent
and her mother on the other hand. On 22
nd
June 2000, the
Respondent and her family members lodged a complaint with the
Women's Cell, Commissioner Office at Pune. It is stated that the
Respondent was suffering from arthritis and therefore, the Appellant
had taken the Respondent to their family doctor. Thereafter, the
Appellant took her to a specialist. It is alleged that it is during this
period, a complaint was lodged by the Respondent and her family
members by approaching women's cell.
8. The next important incident alleged in the Petition for
divorce is of 8
th
January 2001. It is alleged that on that day, the
Respondent's father, her cousins Satish, Sudhir and Dilip visited the
appellant's house in the afternoon. At that time, the Respondent was
sleeping. Satish went in the room where she was sleeping and woke up
the Respondent. It is alleged that the Respondent packed the
ornaments and other articles given to her in a suitcase and she handed
over the said suitcase to Satish who kept the same in his vehicle which
was parked outside the house. It is alleged that Dilip uttered
derogatory words to the Appellant's father describing him as a “beggar”.
It is stated that the Respondent on that day left the matrimonial home
with the bag and baggage and on the very day, she lodged a complaint
at Samarth Police Station alleging offence punishable under Section
498A of the IPC against the Appellant, his parents, his brothers and his
sister. An order of acquittal was passed by the learned Magistrate on
16
th
September 2004. Material allegations based on the said
prosecution are in Paragraphs 17, 18 and 22 of the affidavit in lieu of
examinationinchief, which read thus:
“17. All the accused ( I and my entire family ) had
appeared before the Ld. Judge and were granted
bail on 29/3/2001. Since then I and my family
members appeared before the Ld. Judge on
21/4, 25/5, 17/5, 13/6, 20/7, 10/8, 12/9,
25/10, 20/12 in the year 2001. Similarly I and
my family members appeared before the Court,
on 26/2, 30/3, 12/6, 2/7, 23/7, 16/8, 12/9,
4/1C, 23/10, 21/11, 4/12 in the year 2002.
Similarly I and my family members appeared
before the Court, on 3/1, 17/1, 11/2, 20/2,
11/3, 21/3, 9/4, 24/4, 6/5, 19/5, 18/6, 3/7,
16/7, 8/8/ 4/9, 25/9/ 17/10, 7/11, 21/11,
1/12, 19/12 in the year 2002. Similarly I and
my family members appeared before the Court,
on 8/1, 23/1, 11/2, 23/2, 11/3, 12/4, 27/4,
25/5, 3/6, 10/6, 21/6, 28/6, 2/7, 3/7, 9/7,
16/7, in the year 2004.
18. The Respondent, who was the complainant in
the case, remained absent on numerous
occasions and the matter was prolonged hence.
My family members and I had to seek leave
from our job and had to remain present in the
Court. My parents and me who are suffering
from health problems like B.P., Eyesight
problem, Piles (Father) also had to remain
present and sit for hours together waiting for
the Respondent to come or for the Honourable
Judge to give the next date. All this has
affected me mentally and physically. I have not
been able to concentrate on my work owing to
the health problems of my parents and the court
case. My unmarried sister also had to come to
the court, for no faults of hers. My brothers
were unnecessary involved in this trauma,
which they too had to undergo, without the
remotest connection with this case. I state that
the entire ordeal which went on for 3 years, has
caused immense mental cruelty upon me.
Further, I was helpless as my family members
also suffered because of this false case. For no
fault of my family members, and me had to
undergo the immense stress of fighting out a
Court case.”
22. In such circumstances, filling of a false
complaint, the trauma of facing th trial and
victory of right over wrong, all amount to
cruelty. By acquittal of all the accused i.e. my
family, and I state that I have suffered
irretrievable loss and irreparable damage and
have cruelty of the highest nature.”
9. As stated earlier, the affidavit inlieu of examinationin
chief is a replica of a Petition for divorce. The allegation is that filing
of a false complaint and the trauma of facing the trial amounted to
cruelty. It is alleged that the Appellant took good care of the
Respondent but the Respondent inflicted cruelty upon the Appellant.
10. In her written statement, the Respondent contended that
she became aware of the order of acquittal passed on 16
th
September
2004 from the averments in the Petition for divorce. With reference to
the allegation that the Respondent left the matrimonial home on 8
th
January 2001, the contention raised in the written statement is that in
fact the Respondent was badly treated by the Appellant and his family
members and that she was driven out from her matrimonial home. In
Paragraph 17 of the written statement, various instances of illtreatment
given to the Respondent have been set out. It is stated that due to
mental and physical illtreatment by the Appellant and his relatives, the
Respondent suffered from arthritis. It is contended by the Respondent
that the Appellant deserted the Respondent from 4
th
June 1999 to 28
th
June 2000. She stated that on 5
th
November 1999, her father filed a
Petition before the President of their Community. The Panchas of the
Community had called upon the Appellant to attend meetings but he
had refused to attend. It is alleged that the Appellant and his family
members treated her with cruelty. Due to the shock, Respondent's
father died on 22
nd
March 2003.
11. As regards what transpired from 22
nd
June 2000, in clauses
(f) and (g) of Paragraph 17 of the written statement, the Respondent
has stated thus:
“(f) On 22.6.2000 on the occasion of birthday of
petition the respondent tried to contact him
on phone but petitioner did not respond. So
on 24.6.2000 the father of respondent was
compelled to give complaint applicant to
Mahila Police, Pune. During enquiry of this
complaint application the petitioner was
called for at that time to avoid the police case
the petitioner showed his willingness and gave
a guarantee of his good behavior with
respondent and as such he took the
respondent for cohabitation to his house on
28.6.2000. The respondent was residing there
till 8
th
Jan. 2001. During this period also the
behavior of the petitioner and his family
members was not changed. On the contrary
there was grudged in the mind of the
petitioner and his family members that the
respondent approached the police and so all of
them were illtreating her.
That the Petitioner was not allowing the
matrimonial relations as husband and wife
with the respondent without any reason. As
such the cruel behavior of the petitioner and
his family members were continued.
(g) On 7.1.2001 petitioner picked quarrel on
flimsy ground with respondent and he insisted
the respondent to go out of house. And in
that quarrel he expressed that she should
bring money from her father for Flat
otherwise she is of no use. At that time
brother of petitioner Vijay rushed towards the
respondent for assaulting her. That due to this
incident the respondent called her father on
phone. When the father and brother of
respondent came to the house of petitioner at
that time the petitioner and his family
members insulted them and abused them and
as such she was driven away from his house
without any reason. As such the petitioner
has deserted her since Jan 2001, That the
petitioner and his family members treated her
with cruelty. Dur to this shock the father of
respondent expired on 22.3.2003. The facts
contrary to this real position, mentioned in
petition of the petitioner are absolutely false
and are denied by the respondent.”
12. From the pleadings, it appears that there are allegations
and counterallegations. The stand of the Respondent is that from 4
th
June 1999 till 28
th
June 2000, the Appellant deserted her. It is stated
that the Respondent returned to her parent's home on 4
th
June 1999 for
the purposes of attending the marriage of her brother which was to be
solemnized on 29
th
June 1999. Thereafter, the Appellant deserted her
till 28
th
June 2000. The Respondent claims that on 24
th
June 2000, her
father was compelled to file a complaint to Mahila Police Station, Pune,
where the Appellant was called who showed willingness to cohabit
with the Respondent and accordingly on 28
th
June 2000, he resumed
cohabitation with the Respondent which continued till 8
th
January
2001. Except for the bald statement that from 28
th
June 2000 to 8
th
January 2001, the Appellant and his family members illtreated her,
no particulars of alleged ill treatment have been set out except for
stating that, on 7
th
January 2001, the Appellant picked up quarrel with
on flimsy ground. It is alleged that the Appellant demanded money
from the Respondent's father for acquiring a flat. There are two
allegations of serious nature which are made in the written statement.
The first is that due to mental and physical illtreatment given by the
Appellant to the Respondent and her relatives, the Respondent started
suffering from arthritis since May 1999. The second allegation is that
the Appellant and his family members treated the Respondent with
cruelty and that due to shock, her father expired on 22
nd
March 2003.
The learned counsel appearing for the Appellant submitted that such
allegations of serious nature have remained unsubstantiated, which
amount to causing mental cruelty to the Appellant.
13. Therefore, it will be necessary to make a reference to the
deposition of the Respondent which is in the form of affidavit in lieu of
examinationinchief. The allegation regarding the Respondent
suffering from arthritis finds place in Paragraph 8 of the affidavit in lieu
of examinationinchief. In Paragraph 10, it is alleged that her father
died due to shock. In Paragraph 17, the Respondent has stated that she
was ready and willing to cohabit with the Appellant even on the date of
filing of the affidavit in lieu of the examinationinchief.
14. It will be necessary to peruse the crossexamination of the
Respondent. In Paragraph 15, she has stated that she has not produced
any document to show that because of the harassment by the Appellant,
she suffered from arthritis. She admitted that she had taken treatment
from Dr. Bhagali, Dr. Salunke, Dr. Chopra, Dr. Jeurkar and Dr. Pai for
arthritis. In Paragraphs 17 and 18, the Respondent was cross
examined on the incident of 8
th
January 2001. Paragraphs 17 and 18
of the deposition read thus:
“17. It is not correct to say that on 8/1/2001 after
our lunch my parents came to the house of
petitioner. It is not correct to say that at that
time I served them with tea. I do not
remember at the time when they came to the
house of petitioner. But they might have
come at 12.30 pm. In the evening of
7.1.2001 I gave phone call to my parents,
from outside. My one relation Baddies
staying at Karvenagar, Pune. It is true that
sister of wife of my brother is also staying at
Pune. My maternal uncle Katawe is staying is
Gurwar Peth of Pune. When I gave phone
call to my father on 7/1/2001 I was neither
happy nor weeping. I did not tell my father
on phone to start immediately.
18. It is true that whenever my parents requested
the petitioner for visit to their house at
Solapur, he told them that he could not as he
had work in the office. I cannot tell whether
petitioner is hard worker. It is true that
sometime he worked full week of 7 days in
the office and sometimes duty on out station.
It is true that his brother Vijay and Devendra
and his sister Rajashree were also employed.
It is not correct to say that on 8/1/2001
except the parents of the petitioner nobody
from his family was present in the house. It is
true that on that day the petitioner and his
sister Rajashree were not present in the
house.”
15. In the crossexamination, she admitted that her father had
made an application to the President of her Community for requesting
them to persuade the Appellant to resume cohabitation. In Paragraph
25 of her crossexamination, she stated that even in the criminal case,
she expressed a desire for cohabitation. She further stated that in the
criminal case, the evidence of her father, uncle, cousins and two other
witnesses was recorded. She admitted that she deposed in the
criminal case and the Court did not prevent her from adducing oral and
documentary evidence. She stated that the Public Prosecutor did not
prevent her from adducing the evidence. Though she stated that an
Appeal against acquittal was filed, she was not possessing the papers of
that Appeal. In Paragraph 30 of the crossexamination, she admitted
that she never thought of filing a complaint against the Appellant till
her father gave a complaint to Woman's Cell. She stated that she had
come with contact of P.I. Savita Turekar. She stated that she
complained to the said PI that the Appellant was not keeping sexual
relationship with her. She admitted that when she filed a complaint
with the Police Station, her father and brother Satish were with her.
She stated that she directly went to the Police Station from the house of
the Appellant on 8
th
January 2001.
16. At this stage, it will be necessary to make a reference to the
complaint filed by the Respondent's father with the Community. The
said complaint is at Exhibit74. In the said complaint, there is no
allegation of cruelty made against the Appellant. It is alleged that the
Appellant's mother and sisters have misguided the Appellant and have
tried to instigate him to fight with the Respondent. In fact, the
allegation made in the said letter is that no efforts were made by the
Appellant and his relatives to ensure that the cohabitation is resumed.
Therefore, a request was made by him to the President of the
Community to make efforts for reconciliation. The date of the
complaint is 5
th
November 1999. From various documents on record
which include the minutes of the meeting of Panchas of the Community
it appears that that till 30
th
January 2000, the Respondent and her
father were attending the meetings of the Committee. Minutes of the
meeting held on 30
th
January 2000 are at Exhibit86. Even according
to the case of the Respondent, on 28
th
June 2000, the parties resumed
cohabitation.
17. The certified copy of the deposition of the Respondent in
the criminal case is on record. The attention of the Respondent was
invited to the said deposition in her crossexamination before the Family
Court. In the crossexamination, she admitted that the Appellant used
to accompany her when she was taking treatment from Dr. Chopra for
arthritis.
18. Perusal of the judgment of the learned Magistrate which is
at Exhibit41 shows that the learned Magistrate has taken into
consideration the evidence of the prosecution witnesses. The learned
Magistrate has recorded a finding that the ingredients of the offence
have not been established.
19. Careful perusal of the evidence of the Respondent in the
criminal case shows that no allegation of any acts of cruelty on the part
of the Appellant's parents, his brother and sisters have been alleged for
the period subsequent to 28
th
June 2000 when the parties resumed to
cohabitation. An allegation is made that the Appellant demanded that
the Respondent's father should give him a flat worth Rs.3,00,000/ to
Rs.4,00,000/ or at least give him the said amount. In her cross
examination before the learned Magistrate, she admitted that she never
made any complaint about the demand of flat or money by the
Appellant till December 2000. In the written statement before the
Family Court, the Respondent has not stated that the Appellant
demanded a flat worth Rs.3,00,000/ to Rs.4,00,000/. It is alleged
that he demanded money from her father for acquiring a flat. Hence,
this allegation regarding the demand of money for a flat is not
substantiated by the Respondent.
20. We have already adverted to the statements made in
Paragraph 17 of the deposition of the Appellant as to how the criminal
case proceeded. He has stated that he along with his family members
appeared before the learned Magistrate on 9 dates in the year 2001, on
10 dates in the year 2002, on 21 dates in the year 2003 and on 16 dates
in the year 2004. The trauma undergone by the Appellant and his
family members have been set out in Paragraphs 17 and 18. On both
the paragraphs, there is hardly any crossexamination. Though the
Respondent came out with a case that she has preferred an appeal
against the acquittal, she could not give any particulars and even could
not produce a copy of the appeal preferred either by her or by the State
Government.
21. Thus, what can be concluded is that the Appellant could
not substantiate her allegation of cruelty against the Appellant and his
family members in the criminal prosecution. The case made out
before the Family Court by the Respondent was that she was always
interested in resuming cohabitation and she was willing to do so even
when the crossexamination was being recorded in the criminal case.
As stated earlier, in the criminal case, the Respondent did not make any
specific allegation against the accused persons except the Appellant.
The allegation against the Appellant regarding the demand of flat and
money appears to be an afterthought. Till 30
th
January 2000, the
Respondent and her father were attending meetings convened by the
Community for the purposes of reconciliation. Thereafter, parties stayed
together only from 28
th
June 2000 to 8
th
January 2001. Even before
Family Court, the Respondent has not not substantiated her case as
regards ill treatment by the Appellant during this brief period of about
six months. We have already stated that for a period of four years the
Appellant and his family members were forced to attend the Court of
the learned Magistrate. The agony, trauma and humiliation undergone
by the Appellant and his family members due to the criminal
prosecution has been narrated by the Appellant. The version of the
Appellant on this aspect will have to be accepted.
22. The specific allegation made in the written statement that
the Respondent started suffering from arthritis due to illtreatment
given to her by the Appellant is not at all established. The Respondent
has admitted that for taking treatment for arthritis, she consulted
several doctors. She did not examine any doctor to substantiate the
said allegation regarding the cause of arthritis. Even the other
allegation in the written statement that her father died due to shock on
account of illtreatment given to the Respondent has remained
unsubstantiated. These are very serious allegations made in the
written statement. From 8
th
January 2001 , the parties admittedly
resided separately. It not even an allegation made by the Respondent
that after 8
th
January 2001, there was any harassment by the Appellant.
The Respondent's father died on 22
nd
March 2003. Even a casual
connection between the alleged acts of cruelty and the death of the
father has not been established. We have no hesitation in holding that
the both the defamatory allegations are of very serious nature. The
allegations could not be substantiated. The said allegations are reckless
allegations made by the Respondent wife.
23. In the case of Samar Ghosh v. Jaya Ghosh
6
, illustrations of
mental cruelty have been set out in Paragraph 101, which reads thus:
“101. No uniform standard can ever be laid down
for guidance, yet we deem it appropriate to
enumerate some instances of human
6 (2007)4 SCC 511
behaviour which may be relevant in dealing
with the cases of “mental cruelty”. The
instances indicated in the succeeding
paragraphs are only illustrative and not
exhaustive:
(i) On consideration of complete matrimonial life
of the parties, acute mental pain, agony and
suffering as would not make possible for the
parties to live with each other could come
within the broad parameters of mental
cruelty.
(ii) On comprehensive appraisal of the entire
matrimonial life of the parties, it becomes
abundantly clear that situation is such that
the wronged party cannot reasonably be
asked to put up with such conduct and
continue to live with other party.
(iii) Mere coldness or lack of affection cannot
amount to cruelty, frequent rudeness of
language, petulance of manner, indifference
and neglect may reach such a degree that it
makes the married life for the other spouse
absolutely intolerable.
(iv) Mental cruelty is a state of mind. The feeling
of deep anguish, disappointment, frustration
in one spouse caused by the conduct of other
for a long time may lead to mental cruelty.
(v) A sustained course of abusive and humiliating
treatment calculated to torture, discommode
or render miserable life of the spouse.
(vi) Sustained unjustifiable conduct and
behaviour of one spouse actually affecting
physical and mental health of the other
spouse. The treatment complained of and the
resultant danger or apprehension must be
very grave, substantial and weighty.
(vii) Sustained reprehensible conduct, studied
neglect, indifference or total departure from
the normal standard of conjugal kindness
causing injury to mental health or deriving
sadistic pleasure can also amount to mental
cruelty.
(viii) The conduct must be much more than
jealousy, selfishness, possessiveness, which
causes unhappiness and dissatisfaction and
emotional upset may not be a ground for
grant of divorce on the ground of mental
cruelty.
(ix) Mere trivial irritations, quarrels, normal wear
and tear of the married life which happens in
daytoday life would not be adequate for
grant of divorce on the ground of mental
cruelty.
(x) The married life should be reviewed as a
whole and a few isolated instances over a
period of years will not amount to cruelty. The
ill conduct must be persistent for a fairly
lengthy period, where the relationship has
deteriorated to an extent that because of the
acts and behaviour of a spouse, the wronged
party finds it extremely difficult to live with
the other party any longer, may amount to
mental cruelty.
(xi) If a husband submits himself for an operation
of sterilisation without medical reasons and
without the consent or knowledge of his wife
and similarly, if the wife undergoes vasectomy
or abortion without medical reason or
without the consent or knowledge of her
husband, such an act of the spouse may lead
to mental cruelty.
(xii) Unilateral decision of refusal to have
intercourse for considerable period without
there being any physical incapacity or valid
reason may amount to mental cruelty.
(xiii) Unilateral decision of either husband or wife
after marriage not to have child from the
marriage may amount to cruelty.
(xiv) Where there has been a long period of
continuous separation, it may fairly be
concluded that the matrimonial bond is
beyond repair. The marriage becomes a fiction
though supported by a legal tie. By refusing to
sever that tie, the law in such cases, does not
serve the sanctity of marriage; on the
contrary, it shows scant regard for the feelings
and emotions of the parties. In such like
situations, it may lead to mental cruelty.”
24. In the case of K. Srinivas Rao v. D.A. Deepa
7
(2013)5 SCC
226, in Paragraph 16, the Apex Court held thus:
“Thus, to the instances illustrative of mental cruelty
noted in Samar Ghosh, we could add a few more.
Making unfounded indecent defamatory
allegations against the spouse or his or her
relatives in the pleadings, filing of complaints or
issuing notices or news items which may have
adverse impact on the business prospect or the
job of the spouse and filing repeated false
complaints and cases in the court against the
spouse would, in the facts of a case, amount to
causing mental cruelty to the other spouse.”
(emphasis added)
25. In the case of Ravi Kumar v. Julmi Devi
8
, in Paragraphs 19
and 20, the Apex Court held thus:
7 (2013)5 SCC 226
8 (2010)4 SCC 476
“19. It may be true that there is no definition of
cruelty under the said Act. Actually such a
definition is not possible. In matrimonial
relationship, cruelty would obviously mean
absence of mutual respect and understanding
between the spouses which embitters the
relationship and often leads to various outbursts
of behaviour which can be termed as cruelty.
Sometime cruelty in a matrimonial relationship
may take the form of violence, some time it may
take a different form. At times, it may be just an
attitude or an approach. Silence in some
situations may amount to cruelty.
20. Therefore, cruelty in matrimonial, behaviour
defies any definition and its category can never
be closed. Whether husband is cruel to his wife
or the wife is cruel to her husband has to be
ascertained and judged by taking into account
the entire facts and circumstances of the given
case and not by any predetermined rigid
formula. Cruelty in matrimonial cases can be
of infinite variety it may be subtle or even
brutal and may be by gestures and words. That
possibly explains why Lord Denning in Sheldon
v. Sheldon held that categories of cruelty in
matrimonial cases are never closed.”
(emphasis added)
The learned counsel appearing for the Appellant relied upon an
unreported decision of this Court in the case of Nagesh Dhanapp
Chilkanti (supra). In Paragraph 9, the Division Bench held thus:
“9. The appellant has categorically deposed in
examination in chief before the Family Court that by
filing of false complaint for alleged commission of
offence under Sec. 498A of IPC the respondent has
falsely prosecuted the appellant and his family
members. The cross examination of the appellant
indicate that the fact of acquittal of the appellant
and his family members was never disputed and as
such the Family Court ought to have proceeded to
accept the contention of the appellant that false
criminal cases were filed against the appellant and
his family members with a view to cause utmost
embarrassment, humiliation and sufferings. Filing
of false criminal cases against the appellant and his
family members would very much constitute mental
cruelty.”
26. Now coming back to the case in hand, the Respondent has
not substantiated allegations of cruelty in her evidence. She could not
substantiate the allegations even in the criminal Court. Only witness
examined by her is Mr.V who was a member of Nyaya Nivada Samiti of
Shri Som Wanshiya Sahastrajur Kashatriya Samaj Seva Mandal in the
year 1999. He deposed regarding the application made by the
Respondent's father to his Community which is at Exhibit74. He
deposed regarding the proceedings before the Nyaya Nivada Samiti.
He has stated that though various notices were sent by the Committee,
there was no response from the Appellant. Even taking the said
evidence as correct, the same does not help the Respondent to establish
allegations of cruelty made by her. We have already noted earlier that in
the application at Exhibit 74, there was no allegation against the
Appellant of cruelty and in fact, the request of the father was to make
an effort to resume cohabitation.
27. As held by the Apex Court, whether a particular act will
constitute cruelty or not will depend upon the facts and circumstances
of each case. Whether an order of acquittal in criminal prosecution
lodged at the instance of the spouse amounts to cruelty will depend
upon the facts and circumstances of each case. Whether the criminal
Court has recorded a finding that the prosecution case was false is again
not a clinching factor. Considering the evidence on record, the
Matrimonial Court will have to decide whether the prosecution which
resulted into acquittal will amount to an act of cruelty. In a given case,
depending upon the evidence on record, even if the acquittal is on the
ground that the charge could not be substantiated and even if there is
no finding recorded by the Criminal Court that the prosecution case was
false, there can be a case of cruelty. It depends on the manner in which
the complaint is filed and prosecuted.
28. Therefore, the scenario which emerges can be summarized
thus:
(a) the Appellant established that the Respondent could
not substantiate the allegations of cruelty in the
criminal case. Even the allegations of cruelty made
by the Respondent in the written statement in the
present case could not be established by her;
(b) The Appellant and his family members were required
to attend Criminal Court on 56 different dates from
the year 2001 to 2004. Considering the manner in
which the criminal case proceeded, the Appellant
and his family members were subjected to
humiliation, trauma and agony as set out in the
deposition of the Appellant;
(c) The Respondent made a very serious defamatory
allegation against the Appellant, both in the written
statement and in her evidence, that due to ill
treatment by the Appellant, she started suffering
from arthritis. The Respondent made no efforts to
substantiate the said allegation. Thus, the
Respondent made unfounded defamatory allegation
against the Appellant;
(d) The Respondent made another serious allegation
against the Appellant,both in the written statement
and in her evidence, that due to harassment suffered
by her from the Appellant, her father suffered shock
which lead to his death. Not only that the
Respondent did not substantiate the said allegation,
even the cause of death of her father was not
brought on record. Even this allegation is an
unfounded defamatory allegation;
29. We have no hesitation in holding that the aforesaid conduct
amounts to mental cruelty to the Appellant and by reason of such
mental cruelty, he is not reasonably expected to continue cohabitation
with the Respondent.
30. Now turning to the impugned judgment, we find from
Paragraph 16 thereof, the learned Judge seems to have proceeded on
the footing that merely because there was an order of acquittal, it was
not sufficient to draw an inference that the case is false.
31. The learned Judge of the Family Court has not at all
appreciated the case in the right prospective and he seems to have over
simplified the matter.
32. As the Respondent has failed to prove the allegations of
cruelty against the Appellant and she has failed to prove that it was the
Appellant who had deserted the Respondent, the bar under Section
23(1) of the said Act will not apply in the present case.
33. Learned counsel appearing for the Appellant has made
submissions on the issue of grant of permanent alimony under Section
25 of the said Act. The learned Judge of the Family Court decided the
case in the year 2006. There is no evidence on record as regards the
present income of the Appellant. Under Section 25 of the said Act, the
wife can seek permanent alimony even after passing of a decree of
divorce. In this Appeal, it will be unjust to record a finding regarding
entitlement of the Respondent to receive permanent alimony. We,
therefore, propose to grant liberty to the Respondent to file a separate
application under Section 25 of the said Act by keeping all the
contentions of the parties open. It is obvious that the concerned Court
will have to take into consideration the findings recorded in this
judgment while deciding the application made by the Respondent.
34. Accordingly, the Appeal must succeed and we pass the
following order:
ORDER :
(a) The impugned judgment and decree dated 5
th
April
2006 is quashed and set aside;
(b) The marriage solemnized between the Appellant and
the Respondent on 3
rd
July 1998 stands dissolved by
a decree of divorce under Clause (ia) of Subsection
(1) of Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955;
(c) To that extent, the Petition No.A100 of 2005 stands
allowed;
(d) It will be open for the Respondent to make an
application to the appropriate Trial Court for grant of
permanent alimony under Section 25 of the Hindu
Marriage Act, 1955; If such application is made, the
same will be decided on its own merits in the light of
the observations made in this judgment ;
(e) The Appeal is allowed on above terms;
(f) There will be no order as to costs.
( S.C. GUPTE, J ) ( A.S. OKA, J )
