News for 'matrimonial cruelty'

Rajasthan High Court Grants Divorce, Criticises 'Aata-Sata' Marriage Custom

Rajasthan High Court Grants Divorce, Criticises 'Aata-Sata' Marriage Custom

Rediff.com19 May 2026

The Rajasthan High Court overturned a family court's decision, granting a woman a divorce and strongly criticising the 'Aata-Sata' marriage custom, highlighting the need to assess matrimonial disputes based on the 'preponderance of probabilities' rather than criminal law standards.

Rajasthan High Court Condemns 'Inhuman Barter System', Grants Divorce

Rajasthan High Court Condemns 'Inhuman Barter System', Grants Divorce

Rediff.com19 May 2026

The Rajasthan High Court has overturned a family court's decision and granted a divorce to a woman, criticising the 'Aata-Sata' marriage custom and stating that cruelty in matrimonial disputes does not require proof 'beyond reasonable doubt'.

Delhi High Court: Caring for Family Not Grounds for Cruelty Charge

Delhi High Court: Caring for Family Not Grounds for Cruelty Charge

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

The Delhi High Court has ruled that merely asking a married woman to assist in caring for a family member does not constitute cruelty under criminal law, quashing cases against a husband and his family.

Wife's parental support no excuse for husband to skip alimony: HC

Wife's parental support no excuse for husband to skip alimony: HC

Rediff.com7 minutes ago

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a husband's obligation to pay maintenance to his estranged wife is not negated by her parents' financial support. The court overturned a family court's decision, emphasising that parental income cannot substitute a husband's legal duty and enhanced maintenance for both the wife and children.

Criminal law can't target every in-law in marital disputes: SC

Criminal law can't target every in-law in marital disputes: SC

Rediff.com25 May 2026

The Supreme Court on Monday said criminal law cannot be permitted to be set in motion against every relative of the husband in a matrimonial dispute merely on the basis of omnibus allegations lacking a specific factual foundation.

Delhi Court Convicts Man, Mother In Dowry Death Case

Delhi Court Convicts Man, Mother In Dowry Death Case

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

A Delhi court has convicted a man and his mother in a dowry death case after his wife died by suicide within seven years of marriage, citing a pattern of dowry-related harassment and demands.

TVK chief Vijay's wife files divorce petition; alleges adultery, cruelty

TVK chief Vijay's wife files divorce petition; alleges adultery, cruelty

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Sankgeetha Vijay, wife of actor-politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekar, has filed for divorce, accusing him of an extra-marital affair and mental cruelty. The petition seeks to keep proceedings private and restrain media coverage.

Man Granted Divorce Due To Wife's Social Media Conduct

Man Granted Divorce Due To Wife's Social Media Conduct

Rediff.com3 May 2026

A family court in Jaipur granted a divorce to a man, citing mental cruelty based on his wife's social media behaviour and conduct during their marriage.

CBI Gets Custody Of Husband In Twisha Sharma Death Case

CBI Gets Custody Of Husband In Twisha Sharma Death Case

Rediff.com27 May 2026

A Bhopal court has remanded Samarth Singh, husband of deceased model-actor Twisha Sharma, in CBI custody. The CBI is investigating the circumstances surrounding Sharma's death, which occurred at her marital home. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has reserved its judgment on pleas seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail for Samarth Singh's mother.

Woman Held After Daughter-In-Law Injured, Granddaughters Die

Woman Held After Daughter-In-Law Injured, Granddaughters Die

Rediff.com14 May 2026

A 55-year-old woman has been arrested in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with a dowry harassment case after her daughter-in-law sustained severe burn injuries and her two minor granddaughters died allegedly due to suffocation.

Why Delhi Court Acquitted Man In Dowry Death Case

Why Delhi Court Acquitted Man In Dowry Death Case

Rediff.com4 May 2026

A Delhi court has acquitted a man and his family members in a dowry death case, citing the prosecution's failure to prove allegations of cruelty or dowry demand.

Two More Arrested In Greater Noida Dowry Death Case

Two More Arrested In Greater Noida Dowry Death Case

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Police in Greater Noida have arrested two more individuals in connection with the alleged dowry death of a 24-year-old woman. The victim's in-laws claim she died after falling from the terrace, while her family alleges she was murdered over dowry demands.

Dowry Death Case: Police Seek Cancellation Of Ex-Judge's Bail

Dowry Death Case: Police Seek Cancellation Of Ex-Judge's Bail

Rediff.com22 May 2026

Madhya Pradesh police have issued a final notice to ex-judge Giribala Singh in connection with her daughter-in-law's death, allegedly due to dowry harassment. The government has also initiated a probe into whether Singh can continue as chairperson of the consumer court.

More Arrests Made In Greater Noida Dowry Death Case

More Arrests Made In Greater Noida Dowry Death Case

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Police in Greater Noida have arrested two more individuals in connection with the alleged dowry death of a 24-year-old woman, Deepika Nagar. The victim's in-laws claim she died after falling from the terrace, but her family alleges she was murdered over dowry demands.

Twisha Sharma death case: Police seek cancellation of ex-judge's bail

Twisha Sharma death case: Police seek cancellation of ex-judge's bail

Rediff.com22 May 2026

Madhya Pradesh police are seeking the cancellation of anticipatory bail for ex-judge Giribala Singh in connection with her daughter-in-law's death, allegedly due to dowry harassment. The government has also initiated a probe into whether she can continue as chairperson of the consumer court.

Delhi Court: Text Messages Reveal Suicidal Tendencies in Dowry Death Case

Delhi Court: Text Messages Reveal Suicidal Tendencies in Dowry Death Case

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

A Delhi court acquitted a man and his family of charges related to domestic cruelty and dowry death, citing text messages indicating the wife's history of suicidal tendencies.

Delhi Court: No Proof of Dowry Harassment in Suicide Case

Delhi Court: No Proof of Dowry Harassment in Suicide Case

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

A Delhi court has acquitted a man and six of his relatives in a dowry death case, citing insufficient evidence of dowry-related harassment leading to the woman's suicide.

Twisha Sharma death: Court rejects 2nd autopsy plea, MP govt seeks CBI probe

Twisha Sharma death: Court rejects 2nd autopsy plea, MP govt seeks CBI probe

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced that the state government will seek a CBI probe into the death of Twisha Sharma, a former model and actor, who was found hanging at her matrimonial residence. Her family alleges dowry harassment and fears crucial forensic evidence may be lost due to delays in securing a second autopsy and proper body preservation.

HC orders man to hand over child custody to mother

HC orders man to hand over child custody to mother

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

The Bombay High Court has ordered a man to hand over custody of his one-year-old daughter to his estranged wife, observing that the child's best interests lie with the mother as she is still being breastfed.

Madhya Pradesh Seeks CBI Probe Into Dowry Death Case

Madhya Pradesh Seeks CBI Probe Into Dowry Death Case

Rediff.com20 May 2026

The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a CBI probe into the death of Twisha Sharma, a woman who was allegedly harassed for dowry. Her family had requested a second autopsy, which was initially rejected by a court.

Madhya Pradesh Seeks CBI Probe Into Dowry Death Case

Madhya Pradesh Seeks CBI Probe Into Dowry Death Case

Rediff.com20 May 2026

The family of Twisha Sharma, who died last week, alleges dowry harassment and seeks a CBI probe into her death. A court rejected a plea for a second autopsy, prompting the family to express concerns about the preservation of forensic evidence. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has assured the family that the state government will seek a CBI investigation.

Calling husband 'hijda' an act of mental cruelty, HC upholds divorce

Calling husband 'hijda' an act of mental cruelty, HC upholds divorce

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

The division bench of justice Sudhir Singh and justice Jasjit Singh Bedi was hearing a woman's plea against the divorce granted in favour of her husband by a family court in July this year.

Calling spouse bhoot, pishach not cruelty: HC

Calling spouse bhoot, pishach not cruelty: HC

Rediff.com30 Mar 2024

The Patna high court has observed that the use of 'filthy language' by an estranged couple, who call each other names like 'bhoot' (ghost) and 'pishach' (vampire), does not tantamount to 'cruelty'.

Row over onion and garlic ends 23-year marriage in Gujarat

Row over onion and garlic ends 23-year marriage in Gujarat

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

A Gujarat-based couple's 23-year marriage ended in divorce due to a long-standing dispute over the wife's dietary choice of not consuming onion and garlic. The Gujarat High Court upheld the divorce verdict.

Portraying husband as womaniser is extreme cruelty: HC

Portraying husband as womaniser is extreme cruelty: HC

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

The court noted that the wife claimed her husband was impotent and compelled him to undergo a potency test which found him fit. Such allegations, it observed, caused mental cruelty to him.

Delhi HC quashes dowry FIR against family after husband's suicide

Delhi HC quashes dowry FIR against family after husband's suicide

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

The Delhi High Court has quashed a dowry-harassment FIR lodged against the family of a man who committed suicide shortly after his wedding, citing vague allegations and abuse of process.

Cruelty: HC on withholding mutual divorce consent in failed marriage

Cruelty: HC on withholding mutual divorce consent in failed marriage

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

A bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, while dealing with an appeal of the wife who withdrew her consent for mutual divorce after a settlement, observed that the idea of a no-fault-divorce is to make the parties realise that there was a sensible way of parting on the agreed terms.

Secret recordings of spouses admissible in divorce cases: SC

Secret recordings of spouses admissible in divorce cases: SC

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that secretly recorded conversations between spouses are admissible as evidence in matrimonial cases, arguing that such snooping indicates a breakdown of trust and a troubled marriage.

SC rejects Operation Sindoor excuse in dowry death case

SC rejects Operation Sindoor excuse in dowry death case

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Participating in Operation Sindoor doesn't give you immunity from committing atrocity at home, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said while refusing to exempt a convict from surrendering in a dowry death case of his wife.

Threatening, attempting suicide is ground for divorce: HC

Threatening, attempting suicide is ground for divorce: HC

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

The Bombay High Court has ruled that a spouse threatening or attempting to commit suicide amounts to 'cruelty' and is a valid ground for divorce. The court upheld a family court's decision to dissolve a marriage where the husband alleged his wife threatened to send him and his family to jail by committing suicide. The court found that the husband's claim of cruelty was supported by evidence, including the wife's attempt to end her life.

Inconsistent decisions shake public trust, says SC; slams HC judge

Inconsistent decisions shake public trust, says SC; slams HC judge

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded a Karnataka High Court judge for passing an inconsistent verdict, highlighting the crucial importance of consistent judicial outcomes for maintaining public trust. The court emphasized that inconsistent decisions from different benches undermine faith in the judiciary and can lead to "forum shopping" and other unethical practices.

Cruelty differs for man and woman, adopt broad approach in divorce: SC to courts

Cruelty differs for man and woman, adopt broad approach in divorce: SC to courts

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh said the word 'cruelty' under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 has no fixed meaning, and therefore, gives a very wide discretion to the Court to apply it "liberally and contextually".

You worship goddesses, yet...: SC slams man for abandoning wife, daughters

You worship goddesses, yet...: SC slams man for abandoning wife, daughters

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India harshly criticized a man for abandoning his wife and minor daughters, calling his actions "cruel" and questioning his humanity. The court demanded the man provide financial support to his family, including his daughters, before it would consider any favorable orders in his case. The man had previously been convicted of domestic abuse and fraudulently removing his wife's uterus. The court's strong stance highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for legal protection for women and children in India.

Man can't be charged if wife isn't minor: HC on 'marital rape'

Man can't be charged if wife isn't minor: HC on 'marital rape'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2023

The Allahabad high court has observed that 'protection of a person' from being charged in 'marital rape continues in cases where the wife is of 18 years of age or more'.

Nehru's gift to Baroda queen caught in marital dispute

Nehru's gift to Baroda queen caught in marital dispute

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

A 1951 model antique hand-made classic Rolls Royce car, a single model till date valuing more than Rs 2.5 crore at present and ordered by first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru for the erstwhile 'maharani' of Baroda, has become a major bone of contention in a matrimonial dispute in the Supreme Court.

SC rules in 27-yr marital discord case for octogenarian couple, denies divorce

SC rules in 27-yr marital discord case for octogenarian couple, denies divorce

Rediff.com12 Oct 2023

The top court said despite the increasing trend of filing divorce proceedings in courts, the institution of marriage is still considered to be a pious, spiritual and invaluable emotional life-net between couples in the Indian society.

Greater disaffection surrounding institution of marriage now: SC

Greater disaffection surrounding institution of marriage now: SC

Rediff.com8 Feb 2022

Section 498-A of the IPC deals with the offence of subjecting a woman to cruelty by the husband or his relatives.

Marital rape can be valid ground for divorce: Kerala HC

Marital rape can be valid ground for divorce: Kerala HC

Rediff.com6 Aug 2021

The court observed this while dismissing an appeal of a man who had challenged a Family Court order that allowed a plea of his wife for divorce on the ground of cruelty.

HC grants divorce on woman's refusal to wear 'sindoor'

HC grants divorce on woman's refusal to wear 'sindoor'

Rediff.com30 Jun 2020

"Her refusal to wear 'sakha and sindoor' will project her to be unmarried and/or signify her refusal to accept the marriage with the appellant (husband). Such categorical stand of the respondent (wife) points to the clear intention of the respondent that she is unwilling to continue her conjugal life with the appellant," the high court said in the judgment passed on June 19.

New Constitution bench to hear pleas on polygamy, nikah halala among Muslims

New Constitution bench to hear pleas on polygamy, nikah halala among Muslims

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

The Supreme Court said on Thursday it will set up a fresh five-judge Constitution bench to hear the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of polygamy and 'nikah halala' among Muslims.