Context : The Supreme Court ruled that persistent emotional distress caused by a spouse constitutes mental cruelty, a valid ground for divorce.
Relevance : GS 1 (Society ) , GS 2 (Social Justice )
Mental Cruelty as Divorce Ground
- The Supreme Court held that behavior causing immense emotional distress to a spouse amounts to mental cruelty.
- Cruelty includes sustained actions that make cohabitation impossible, extending beyond physical harm.
Case Background
- A husband sought divorce, citing his wife’s behavior, including leaving their home and filing criminal complaints, as mental cruelty.
- The Madras High Court granted the divorce, which the wife later challenged in the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Judgment
- The SC upheld the High Court decision, stating that:
- Sustained emotional torment and loss of trust constitute cruelty.
- Marriage becomes a mere legal formality when mutual trust and companionship are absent.
Alimony
- The husband was directed to pay ₹50 lakh as permanent alimony.
- The Court clarified that financial independence of the wife cannot negate her right to maintenance if it ensures dignity, social standing, and stability post-divorce.
