WEDDED MISS

While dismissing a petition for divorce, the Kerala High Court observed that the present trend seems to be to break the nuptial tie on flimsy grounds. It said that marriage is not a mere ritual for intimacy

- Adarsh Kumar

ON August 24, the Kerala High Court, while dismissing an appeal, observed that people, especially those from the younger generation, now look at marriage as an evil that can be avoided so that they can enjoy a life without any liabilities or obligations.

A division bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Sophy Thomas were hearing a petition filed by one Libin Varghese. They further observed that the present trend seems to break the nuptial tie on flimsy or selfish reasons or for extra-marital relationships, and were even unmindful of their children.

In the present case, the husband had filed a petition before the Family Court, Alappuzha, under Section 10(1)(x) of the Divorce Act, 1869, for dissolving his marriage on the ground of matrimonial cruelties. He married on February 9, 2009, as per Christian rites and customs and three daughters were born.

The couple was employed in Saudi Arabia, and their marital relationship was smooth. However, the wife developed some behavioural abnormalities, he alleged, and she quarrelled with him for no reason, saying he had illicit relationships with other women. She failed to perform her duties and responsibilities as a wife and mother, he said.

On May 14, 2018, she slapped him on his face and on May 16, she pointed a knife at him and threatened to kill him. He was assaulted and humiliated in front of his children and public, and she made his close relatives turn against him, the petition said. She compelled him to transfer the properties purchased by him to her name. Because of the indifferent, abusive and violent behaviour of the wife, the husband became mentally stressed and ill. According to him, their marital relationship was irretrievably broken and he wanted a divorce.