Court Overturns Family Court's Decision, Upholds Wife's Plea of Emotional Distress Caused by Husband's Actions
In a significant ruling, the Jharkhand High Court has granted a divorce to Debleena Dutta, affirming her claims of mental cruelty inflicted by her husband, Suman Kumar Ruj. The decision overturns a previous judgment by the Additional Principal Judge of the Additional Family Court No. II, Dhanbad, which had dismissed Dutta's plea for dissolution of marriage.
The Division Bench, comprising Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Arun Kumar Rai, delivered the verdict on January 7, 2026, recognizing the husband's actions as constituting mental cruelty under Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The court noted that the husband had blackmailed Dutta using objectionable photographs found on her mobile phone, which he had transferred without her consent, subsequently sharing them with family members. This act, coupled with subsequent humiliation and threats, amounted to irreparable mental agony for Dutta.
The court underscored that marriage is built on trust and respect, and any breach of this trust, especially through character assassination and public humiliation, is grounds for divorce. The ruling emphasized that mental cruelty includes emotional distress caused by continuous humiliation and threats, which makes it impossible for the victim spouse to continue the marital relationship.
In its judgment, the High Court critiqued the Family Court's earlier decision, labeling it as perverse due to inadequate consideration of the available evidence. The appellate jurisdiction of the High Court allows it to reassess both factual and legal aspects, leading to a decision that reflects a proper appreciation of the evidentiary material.
The court's decision reinforces the legal stance that mental cruelty, characterized by persistent emotional abuse and threats, suffices as a basis for divorce. It serves as a reminder of the judiciary's role in safeguarding individual dignity and mental well-being within marital relationships.
Bottom Line:
Hindu Marriage Act - Mental cruelty caused by a spouse, including humiliation using objectionable photographs of the other spouse and character assassination, constitutes sufficient ground for granting divorce under Section 13(1)(i-a).
Statutory provision(s): Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 Section 13(1)(i-a), Family Courts Act, 1984 Section 19(1)
Debleena Dutta v. Suman Kumar Ruj, (Jharkhand)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2834234
