2 hrs ago
Telangana High Court Grants Divorce After 16-Year Separation
The couple married in 2007 but began living apart.
The husband asked the court for a divorce, saying his wife had treated him cruelly.
His wife denied this and accused him and his family of harassment and abuse.
A family court rejected his divorce request in 2017, so he appealed.
A criminal case brought against him and his family ended in acquittal, and that result was upheld in 2025.
The High Court said the wife's allegations about dowry and jewellery were vague or unsupported.
It considered the acquittal, the couple's long separation, and their conduct together.
The court granted the divorce, saying there was no meaningful prospect of them living together again.
The Telangana High Court granted a husband a divorce after the couple had lived separately for about 16 years.
The husband appealed a family court's 2017 dismissal of his divorce petition, which he had filed in 2010.
The court said the wife's dowry and jewellery allegations were vague or unsupported, and noted that the criminal case against the husband and his family ended in acquittal.
The court considered the acquittal and the parties' conduct as evidence supporting the husband's claim of mental cruelty.
It found that neither party appeared willing to resume married life and that continuing the marriage would serve no meaningful purpose.
- Who
- A husband and wife; the husband appealed the family court's refusal to grant a divorce.
- What
- The Telangana High Court granted the husband a divorce, finding that the circumstances, including the prolonged separation and criminal case ending in acquittal, supported his claim of mental cruelty.
- Where
- Telangana, India.
- When
- The court's order was dated September 18; the article does not specify the year.
- Why
- The court found that the parties had lived separately for about 16 years, neither appeared willing to resume married life, and the criminal case and other conduct supported the husband's cruelty claim.
Husband's claims and court findings
Wife's response
Alleged cruelty in the marriage
Husband's claims and court findings
The husband said his wife harassed and physically assaulted him and stopped fulfilling marital obligations. The High Court found that the overall conduct supported his claim of mental cruelty.
Wife's response
The wife denied the husband's allegations and accused him and his family of harassment and physical abuse.
Criminal complaint and dowry allegations
Husband's claims and court findings
The husband relied on the criminal case against him and his family ending in acquittal. The High Court said the acquittal could be considered as subsequent evidence of cruelty and described the wife's dowry and jewellery allegations as vague or unsupported.
Wife's response
The wife and her father approached a women's protection cell, and a complaint was lodged alleging cruelty and offences under the Dowry Prohibition Act. The wife also alleged harassment by her husband and his family.
Key facts
- Marriage
- The couple married in 2007.
- Separation
- They had lived separately for approximately 16 years.
- Divorce petition
- The husband filed it in 2010, alleging cruelty.
- Family court decision
- The family court dismissed the petition in 2017.
- Criminal case
- The case against the husband and his family ended in acquittal in 2020; the acquittal was upheld in 2025.
- High Court ruling
- The Telangana High Court set aside the family court's decision and granted divorce.
Quotes
Telangana High Court
The High Court, in its ruling on the husband’s divorce petition.
“It is a well-settled legal position that when a criminal case ends in acquittal, it can be considered as a ground for cruelty.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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