Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Jharkhand High Court rejects divorce after 39 years
A man in India tried to get a divorce from his wife after 39 years of marriage.
He said she was cruel and had an affair with another man.
But the court said he didn't have enough proof.
The wife said he and his family were cruel to her and demanded more dowry.
The court believed the wife and said the husband's claims were based on suspicion, not facts.
The court also noted that the wife had to take legal action to protect herself.
So, the court did not grant the divorce.
The Jharkhand High Court dismissed a husband's divorce petition based on allegations of adultery and cruelty.
The court ruled that vague and generalised allegations of adultery based on suspicion cannot justify dissolution of marriage.
The wife denied the allegations and asserted that she was subjected to dowry harassment, physical and mental cruelty, and neglect.
The court highlighted that the wife's testimony regarding cruelty and dowry demands was consistent and supported by her legal action.
The husband's allegations appeared retaliatory in nature, particularly in light of the wife's complaints and criminal proceedings.
- Who
- A husband and wife involved in a divorce case in Jharkhand High Court
- What
- The Jharkhand High Court refused to grant a divorce based on allegations of adultery and cruelty
- When
- The divorce petition was filed after nearly 15 years of marriage, and the high court heard the appeal on July 23
- Where
- Jharkhand High Court, India
- Why
- The court ruled that vague and generalised allegations of adultery based merely on suspicion cannot justify dissolution of marriage
Husband's Allegations
Wife's Counter-Allegations
Allegations of Adultery
Husband's Allegations
The husband alleged that his wife maintained an illicit relationship with another man, based on suspicion and surmises.
Wife's Counter-Allegations
The wife denied these allegations and asserted that she was subjected to dowry harassment, physical and mental cruelty, and neglect.
Allegations of Cruelty
Husband's Allegations
The husband claimed that his wife frequently quarrelled with him, refused marital relations, threatened suicide, and left the matrimonial home without his consent.
Wife's Counter-Allegations
The wife claimed that she was subjected to cruelty, neglect, and deprivation of food by her husband and his family due to dowry demands.
- Date of Marriage
- July 3, 1987
- Date of Divorce Petition
- After nearly 15 years of marriage
- Date of High Court Hearing
- July 23
- Date of Family Court's Initial Divorce Grant
- 2011
- Date of High Court's Remand Order
- 2016
- Date of Family Court's Dismissal of Divorce Plea
- January 2019
- Criminal Proceedings Initiated by Wife
- Sections 498A and 307 IPC