family final project.docx

8/19/2019 family final project.docx

1/26

DAMODARAM SANJIVAYYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

VISAKHAPATNAM, A.P., INDIA

PROJECT TITLE

CONVERSION AS AGROUND FOR DIVORCE

SUBJECT

FAMILY LAW

NAME OF THE FACULTY

S.RADHA KRISHNA

Y.KEERTHI

2014049, RD S!"!#$!%

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1) ABSTRACT

1 | P a g e


2/26

2) INTRODUCTION

3) REGISTRATION OF HINDU MARRIAGES

4) DIVORCE

5) GROUND FOR DIVORCE

6) CONVERSION

7) NATURE AND ESSENTIALS8) CASE LAWS

9) ARTICLES

1) CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

11) BIBLIOGRA!H"

CERTIFICATE

TITLE OF SUB#ECT: FAMILY LAW-I

2 | P a g e


3/26

NAME OF FACULT": RADHA KRISHNA

I $EERTHI% " hereby declare that this project: CONVERSION AS A GROUND FOR

DIVORCE% Subitted by e is a! ori"i!al #or$ u!derta$e! by e% I ha&e duly

ac$!o#led"ed all the sources 'ro #hich the ideas a!d e(tracts ha&e bee! ta$e!% )he project

is 'ree 'ro a!y pla"iaris issue%

*LA+, .isha$hapat!a%

/Si"!ature o' the stude!t0

Roll !o 1234245

Seester-6

Sectio!-A

ABSTRACT

T&'(: C&*+,-.(&* /. / G-&0* &- D(+&-,

+o!&ersio! o' the spouse to other reli"io! #as o!ly 'or the purpose o' circu&e!ti!" the

pro&isio! o' Sectio! 454 o' I!dia! *e!al +ode7 3892% +o!&ersio! to Isla by a Hi!du spousedoes !ot per se lead to dissolutio! o' the arria"e% It o!ly "i&es a ri"ht to the other spouse to

3 | P a g e


4/26

'ile a petitio! u!der S%36/30/ii0 o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act 'or di&orce% :!der

the pristi!e Hi!du La# as #ell7 co!&ersio! did !ot operator se as a dissolutio! o' arria"e% A

Hi!du spouse #ho ceased to be a Hi!du by co!&ersio! to a!other reli"io! does !ot ac;uire

a!y ri"ht u!der the Hi!du Marria"e Act%

spouse #ho reai!s a Hi!du "ets a ri"ht u!der S%36/30/ii0 o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act to see$ dissolutio! o' the arria"e #ith the spouse #ho si!ce the arria"e ceased to be a Hi!du by

co!&ersio! to a!other reli"io!% )he ri"ht o' !o! co!&erti!" spouse is i!de'easible% )he statute

does !ot pro&ide 'or a!y ;uali'icatio! o! such ri"ht o' the !o! co!&erti!" spouse% Nor does

the Hi!du Marria"e Act state that the co!&ersio! shall be a co!&ersio! #ithout the co!se!t o'

the other spouse i! order to e!title such spouse to apply 'or di&orce% A co!&ersio! does !ot

cease to be a co!&ersio! #ithi! the ea!i!" o' S%36/30/ii0 i' it is #ith the co!se!t o' the other

spouse% We ca!!ot read i!to the statute soethi!"

#hich is !ot i!te!ded i! the co!te(t= !or

ca! #e ;uali'y a dis;uali'icatio! i! the atter o' co!&ersio! as o!e #ith the co!se!t o' the

other spouse so as to ta$e it out o' the pur&ie# o' S%36/30%

S(0/(&*

,&-, ,*&-,,* & H(*0 M/--(/, A

I! Re: Ram Kumari, 1891 Calcutta 246 7 #here a Hi!du #i'e becae co!&ert to the

Musli 'aith a!d the! arried a Mohaeda!7 it #as held that her earlier arria"e #ith a

Hi!du husba!d #as !ot dissol&ed by her co!&ersio!% She #as char"ed a!d co!&icted o'

bi"ay u!der S%454 o' I!dia! *e!al

+ode7 3892%

I! Gul Mohammed V. Emperor AR 194! "a#pur 121, a Hi!du #i'e #as 'raudule!tly

ta$e! a#ay o' the accused a Mohaeda! #ho arried her accordi!" to Musli la# a'ter

co!&erti!" her to Isla% It #as held that the co!&ersio! o' the Hi!du #i'e to Mohaeda!

'aith did !ot ipso facto7 dissol&e the arria"e a!d she could !ot duri!" the li'e tie o' her 'orer husba!d e!ter i!to a &alid co!tract o' arria"e% Accordi!"ly7 the accused #as

co!&icted 'or adultery u!der Sectio! 45> o' I!dia! *e!al +ode7 3892%

CHA!TERI

I*-&0(&*:

M/--(/,7 also called /-(&* or ,&; 7 is a socially or ritually reco"!i?ed u!io! or

le"al co!tract bet#ee! spouses that establishes ri"hts a!d obli"atio!s bet#ee! the7 bet#ee!

4 | P a g e

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spousehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spouse


5/26

they a!d their childre!7 a!d bet#ee! the a!d their i!-la#s% )he de'i!itio! o' arria"e &aries

accordi!" to di''ere!t cultures7 but it is pri!cipally a! i!stitutio! i! #hich i!terperso!al

relatio!ships7 usually se(ual7 are ac$!o#led"ed% I! soe cultures7 arria"e is recoe!ded

or co!sidered to be copulsory be'ore pursui!" a!y se(ual acti&ity% Whe! de'i!ed broadly7

arria"e is co!sidered a cultural u!i&ersal%

I!di&iduals ay arry 'or se&eral reaso!s7 i!cludi!" le"al7 social7 libidi!al7 eotio!al7

'i!a!cial7 spiritual7 a!d reli"ious purposes% Who they arry ay be i!'lue!ced by socially

deteri!ed rules o' i!cest7 prescripti&e arria"e rules7 pare!tal choice a!d i!di&idual desire%

I! soe areas o' the #orld7 arra!"ed arria"e7 child arria"e7 poly"ay7 a!d

soeties 'orced arria"e7 ay be practiced as a cultural traditio!% +o!&ersely7 such

practices ay be outla#ed a!d pe!ali?ed i! parts o' the #orld out o' co!cer!s 'or #oe!@s

ri"hts a!d because o' i!ter!atio!al la#% I! de&eloped parts o' the #orld7 there has bee! a

"e!eral tre!d to#ards e!suri!" e;ual ri"hts #ithi! arria"e 'or #oe! a!d le"allyreco"!i?i!" the arria"es o' i!ter'aith7 a!d sae-se( couples%


6/26

relati!" to arria"e ao!" Hi!dus a!d others% Beside7 ae!de!t a!d codi'icatio! o' Sastra

La#7 it has i!troduced separatio! a!d Di&orce #hich #as earlier !o!-e(iste!t i! Sastra La#%3

)his e!acte!t brou"ht u!i'ority o' la# 'or all sectio!s o' Hi!dus% I! I!dia7 as a #hole7

there are reli"io!-speci'ic ci&il codes that separately "o&er! adhere!ts o' di''ere!t reli"io!s%

A''(/(&* & A%

)his Act applies7-

/a0 )o a!y perso! #ho is a Hi!du by reli"io! i! a!y o' its 'ors or de&elope!ts7 i!cludi!" a

.irashai&a7 a Li!"ayat or a 'ollo#er o' the Braho7 *rartha!a or Arya Saaj=

/b0 )o a!y perso! #ho is a Buddhist7 ai!a or Si$h by reli"io!7 a!d

/c0 )o a!y other perso! doiciled i! the territories to #hich this Act e(te!ds #ho is !ot a

Musli7 +hristia!7 *arsi or e# by reli"io!7 u!less it is pro&ed that a!y such perso! #ould

!ot ha&e bee! "o&er!ed by the Hi!du la# or by a!y custo or usa"e as part o' that la# i!

respect o' a!y o' the atters dealt #ith herei! i' this Act had !ot bee! passed% 1

E='/*/(&*% )he 'ollo#i!" perso!s are Hi!dus7 Buddhists7 ai!as or Si$hs by reli"io!7 as

the case ay be7- /a0 a!y child7 le"itiate or ille"itiate7 both o' #hose pare!ts are Hi!dus7

Buddhists7 ai!s or Si$hs by reli"io!= /b0 a!y child7 le"itiate or ille"itiate7 o!e o' #hose

pare!ts is a Hi!du7 Buddhist ai!a or Si$h by reli"io! a!d #ho is brou"ht up as a eber o'

tribe7 cou!ity7 "roup or 'aily to #hich such pare!ts belo!"s or belo!"ed= a!d /c0 a!y

perso! #ho is a co!&ert or re-co!&ert to the Hi!dus7 Buddhist7 ai!a or Si$h reli"io!%

/10 Not#ithsta!di!" a!ythi!" co!tai!ed i! sub-sectio! /307!othi!" co!tai!ed i! this Act shall

apply to the ebers o' a!y Scheduled )ribe #ithi! the ea!i!" o' clause /10 o' Article

699 o' the +o!stitutio! u!less the +e!tral Co&er!e!t7 by !oti'icatio! i! the


7/26

/60 )he e(pressio! Hi!dus i! a!y portio! o' this Act shall be co!strued as i' it i!cluded a

perso! #ho7 thou"h !ot a Hi!du by reli"io! is7 !e&ertheless7 a perso! #ho this Act applies

by &irtue o' the pro&isio!s co!tai!ed i! this sectio!% 3

CHA!TERII

R,(.-/(&* & H(*0 M/--(/,.%

/30 For the purpose o' 'acilitati!" the proo' o' Hi!du arria"es7 the State Co&er!e!t ay

a$e rules pro&idi!" that the parties to a!y such arria"e ay ha&e the particulars relati!"

to their arria"e e!tered i! such a!!er a!d subject to such co!ditio! as ay be prescribed

i! a Hi!du Marria"e Re"ister $ept 'or the purpose%

/10 Not#ithsta!di!" a!ythi!" co!tai!ed i! sub-sectio! /307 the State Co&er!e!t ay7 i' it is

o' opi!io! that it is !ecessary or e(pedie!t so to do7 pro&ide that the e!teri!" o' the

particulars re'erred to i! sub-sectio! /30 shall be copulsory i! the State or i! a!y part

thereo'7 #hether i! all cases or i! such cases as ay be speci'ied a!d #here a!y such

directio! has bee! issued7 a!d perso! co!tra&e!i!" a!y rule ade i! this behal' shall be

pu!ishable #ith 'i!e #hich ay e(te!d to t#e!ty-'i&e rupees% 4

/60 All rules ade u!der this sectio! shall be laid be'ore the State Le"islature7 as soo! as ay

be7 a'ter they are ade%

/40 )he Hi!du Marria"e Re"ister shall at all reaso!able ties be ope! 'or i!spectio!7 a!d

shall be adissible as e&ide!ce o' the statee!ts therei! co!tai!ed a!d certi'ied e(tracts there

'ro shall7 o! applicatio!7 be "i&e! by the Re"istrar o! paye!t to hi o' the prescribed 'ee%

/0 Not#ithsta!di!" a!ythi!" co!tai!ed i! this sectio!7 the &alidity o' a!y Hi!du arria"e

shall i! !o #ay be a''ected by the oissio! to a$e the e!try%

3 www.indidivorce.com/grounds-for-divorce-in-india.htm

4 registration.ap.gov.in/.../HinduMarriage/HowToRegisterHinduMarriage..

5 www.legalserviceindia.com/helpline/marriage _reg.htm

7 | P a g e


8/26

A Hi!du arria"e7 #hich has already bee! sole!i?ed i! accorda!ce #ith the reli"ious

custos a!d rituals7 ca! be re"istered u!der the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35% )he Hi!du

Marria"e Act is applicable i! cases #here both husba!d a!d #i'e are Hi!dus7 Buddhists7 ai!s

or Si$hs or #here they ha&e co!&erted i!to a!y o' these reli"io!s% )he parties to the arria"e

ha&e to apply to the co!cer!ed authority i! #hose urisdictio! the arria"e is sole!i?ed or either party to the arria"e has bee! residi!"%

CHA!TERIII

D(+&-,:

)he ter Gdi&orce coes 'ro the Lati! #ord Gdi&ortiu #hich ea!s Gto tur!aside7 Gto separate% Di&orce is the le"al cessatio! o' a atrio!ial bo!d% Di&orce puts the

arria"e to a! e!d7 a!d the parties re&ert bac$ to their u!arried status a!d are o!ce a"ai!

'ree to arry% All ri"hts a!d utual obli"atio!s o' husba!d a!d #i'e ceases% I! other #ords7

a'ter a decree o' dissolutio! o' arria"e7 the arria"e coes to a! e!d a!d the parties cease

to be husba!d a!d #i'e7 a!d are 'ree to "o their o#! #ays% )here reai! !o bo!ds bet#ee!

the e(cept i! relatio! to Sectio! 14 a!d Sectio! 19 o' Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35%

Matrio!ial causes /i%e%7 le"al actio! i! respect o' arria"es0 i! their real se!se did !ot e(ist

i! Hi!du la# be'ore 357 althou"h soe relie's i! respect o' arria"e could be obtai!ed

u!der "e!eral la#% )hus7 a suit 'or a declaratio! that a arria"e is !ull a!d &oid could be 'iled

u!der Sectio! 5 +%*%+9% read #ith Sectio! 64 o' the Speci'ic Relie' Act7 3596>%

)he oder! atrio!ial la# i! I!dia has bee! "reatly i!'lue!ced by a!d based upo!

,!"lish atrio!ial la#% I! ,!"la!d7 the Matrio!ial +auses Act7 38> 'or the 'irst tie

peritted di&orce by judicial process% Be'ore 38>7 di&orce could be obtai!ed o!ly by a

pri&ate Act o' parliae!t a!d o!ly &ery rich could a''ord this lu(ury% :!der the Act7 thehusba!d could 'ile a petitio! 'or di&orce o! the "rou!d o' #i'es adultery /si!"le act #as

e!ou"h07 but a #i'e had to pro&e adultery coupled #ith either i!cest7 bi"ay7 cruelty or t#o

years desertio! or alter!ati&ely7 rape or a!y other u!!atural o''e!ce% )his #as the typical id

.ictoria! attitude to se(ual orality%9

6 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hindu_arriage_!ct"_1#55

8 | P a g e


9/26

)he Matrio!ial +auses Act7 3516 put both spouses at par a!d #i'e could also sue 'or

di&orce o! the "rou!d o' adultery siplicitor% )he Matrio!ial +auses Act7 356> added three

ore "rou!ds= cruelty7 three years desertio! a!d super&e!i!" i!curable i!sa!ity% A'ter the

Seco!d World War7 a o&ee!t de&eloped 'or the re'or o' di&orce la# #hich accepts the

brea$do#! o' arria"e as the basic pri!ciple o' di&orce% Later7 the Matrio!ial +auses Act7

35>6 #as passed #hich is a co!solidati!" statute a!d retai!s the brea$do#! o' arria"e as

the basic "rou!d o' di&orce% )he I!dia! atrio!ial la# has closely 'ollo#ed the

de&elope!t i! ,!"lish la#% )he +o!&erts Marria"e Dissolutio! Act7 3899 #as passed to

pro&ide 'acility o' di&orce to those !ati&e co!&erts to +hristia!ity #hose spouses re'used to

cohabit #ith the o! accou!t o' their co!&ersio!% But the 'irst di&orce statute #as passed i!

3895% )he I!dia! Di&orce Act7 3895 is based o! the Matrio!ial +auses Act7 38> a!d lays

do#! the sae "rou!ds o' di&orce% At the tie #he! the statute #as passed7 it applied o!ly to

+hristia! arria"es% )he I!dia! Di&orce Act #as e(te!ded to arria"es per'ored u!der the

Special Marria"e Act 38>1% )his Act #as repealed by the Special Marria"e Act7 354% )he

Special Marria"e Act #as passed i! 354 a!d the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35% Soe States

i!troduced di&orce by le"islatio!% > Sectio! 36 o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35 has

i!troduced a re&olutio!ary ae!de!t to the shastric Hi!du la#% It pro&ides 'or the

dissolutio! o' arria"e% :!der the Hi!du la#7 di&orce does !ot ta$e place u!less it has bee!

"ra!ted by a court% Be'ore passi!" o' the Marria"e La#s /Ae!de!t0 Act7 35>97 the

"rou!ds 'or judicial separatio! a!d di&orce #ere di''ere!t% )he Marria"e La#s /Ae!de!t0

Act7 35>9 a$es the "rou!ds o' di&orce a!d judicial separatio! coo!% A! a""rie&ed party

ay sue 'or di&orce or judicial separatio!% I! 35947 Sectio! 36 /3-A0 has bee! i!serted

co!tai!i!" 1 clauses u!der #hich7 !o!-resuptio! o' cohabitatio! 'or 1 years or up#ards

a'ter the decree o' judicial separatio! or restitutio! o' co!ju"al ri"hts #as ade a "rou!d o'

di&orce% )his is a odi'icatio! o' clauses /&iii0 a!d /i(0 o' Sectio! 36 o' the Hi!du Marria"e

Act7 35% A'ter the ae!de!t7 either party to the arria"e ca! pre'er such petitio!s%

Ho#e&er7 this 'acility is !ot a&ailable to the cases #here the decrees o' judicial separatio!

a!d restitutio! o' co!ju"al ri"hts #ere obtai!ed prior to the passi!" o' the Ae!de!t o'

3594% )he Marria"e La#s /Ae!de!t0 Act7 35>9 reduced the tie liits 'or t#o years to

o!e year%31 Sectio! 36 /3-A0 i!troduced Brea$-do#! theory i! the Hi!du Marria"e Act7

35% )he Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35 peritted di&orce to all the Hi!dus o! certai!

7 shodhganga.infli$net.ac.in/$itstream/10%0&/810#/.../1'_chapter('05.p

9 | P a g e


10/26

reaso!able "rou!ds% *erhaps this perissio! #as "i&e! 'or the 'irst tie i! the history o'

Hi!du la#% )he Act o' 35 also sa&ed the custos a!d special le"islatio! "ra!ti!" the

dissolutio! o' arria"e be'ore its tie% 8

:!der Shastric Hi!du la#7 #edloc$ #as u!brea$able a!d the arital bo!d e(isted e&e! a'ter

the death o' a party to arria"e% Di&orce #as $!o#! o!ly as a atter o' e(ceptio! i! certai!

tribes a!d cou!ities #hich #ere re"arded u!ci&ili?ed by the Hi!du elite% )he courts

reco"!i?ed it i! these cou!ities due to the bi!di!" 'orce o' custo% But the "e!eral Hi!du

la# did !ot reco"!i?e it% )he pro&isio!s re"ardi!" di&orce ha&e bee! t#ice ae!ded si!ce the

passi!" o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35= i0 by the Hi!du Marria"e /Ae!de!t0 Act7 3594

a!d ii0 by the Marria"e La#s /Ae!de!t0 Act7 35>9% )he ori"i!al pro&isio!s o' the Hi!du

Marria"e Act re"ardi!" di&orce ha&e bee! liberali?ed by the Marria"e La#s /Ae!de!t0

Act7 35>9%5 It also added a !e# "rou!d !aely di&orce by utual co!se!t o' the parties has

bee! ade a&ailable as a atrio!ial relie' u!der the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35%

Relie' o' udicial Separatio!

Sectio! 32 o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35 deals #ith judicial separatio!% )his Sectio! lays

do#! that-

Sectio! 32 /30 - ,ither party to a arria"e7 #hether sole!i?ed be'ore or a'ter the

coe!cee!t o' this Act ay prese!t a petitio! prayi!" 'or a decree 'or judicial separatio!

o! a!y o' the "rou!ds speci'ied i! sub-Sectio! /30 o' Sectio! 36 a!d i! case o' a #i'e also o!

a!y o' the "rou!ds speci'ied i! sub-Sectio! /10 thereo'7 as "rou!ds o! #hich a petitio! 'or

di&orce i"ht ha&e bee! prese!ted%J

/10 #here a decree 'or judicial separatio! has bee! passed7 it shall !o lo!"er be obli"atory

'or the petitio!er to cohabit #ith the respo!de!t7 but the court ay7 o! the applicatio! by

petitio! o' either party a!d o! bei!" satis'ied o' the truth o' the statee!ts ade i! such

petitio!7 resci!d the decree i' it co!siders it just a!d reaso!able to do so%

8

)af$ase.fr/doc!fri*ue/+uganda/hindu('0marriage('0,('0divorce.pdf

9 indiankanoon.org/doc/80%'#5/

10 | P a g e


11/26

Sectio! 32 pro&ides that either party to arria"e ay prese!t a petitio! prayi!" 'or a decree

o' judicial separatio! o! a!y o' the "rou!ds speci'ied i! subSectio! /30 o' Sectio! 36 a!d i!

case o' #i'e also o! a!y o' the "rou!ds speci'ied%

R,, & (+&-,:

Althou"h Hi!du la# does !ot co!teplate di&orce7 yet it has bee! held that it is reco"!i?ed

as a! established custo% I! Bobay7 Madras a!d Saurashtra7 it #as peritted by le"islatio!%

I! the abse!ce o' a custo to the co!trary7 there ca! be !o di&orce bet#ee! a Hi!du husba!d

a!d his #i'e7 #ho by their arria"e7 had e!tered i!to a sacred a!d i!dissoluble u!io! a!d

!either co!&ersio! !or de"radatio! !or loss o' caste !or the &iolatio! o' a! a"reee!t a"ai!st

poly"ay dissol&es the arria"e tie%32 Ao!" the Si$h ats o' Aritsar7 there is a custo o'

the husba!d dissol&i!" a arria"e out o' court pre'erably by #ritte! i!strue!t #hich is

sa&ed by Sectio! 15 /101 o' the Act%19

)he Bobay Hi"h +ourt co!de!ed a custo allo#i!" di&orce as a atter o' course o!

paye!t o' a 'i!e 'i(ed by the caste% But the Madras Hi"h +ourt holds a custo &alid #hich

e!ables either spouse to di&orce the other #ith the latters co!se!t% Accordi!" to Kautilyas

Arthashastra7 arria"e i"ht be dissol&ed by utual co!se!t i! the case o' the u!appro&ed

'or o' arria"e% Ma!u does !ot belie&e i! disco!ti!ua!ce o' the arria"e relatio!ship% Hedeclares7 Let utual 'idelity co!ti!ue till death= this i! brie' ay be u!derstood to be the

hi"hest dhara o' husba!d a!d #i'e% )he duty o' a #i'e co!ti!ues e&e! a'ter her death% She

ca! !e&er ha&e a seco!d husba!d%

It #as o!ly by the Nati&e +o!&erts Marria"e Dissolutio! Act7 38997 #hich pro&ided that

#here a Hi!du becae a co!&ert to +hristia!ity a!d i! co!se;ue!ce o' such co!&ersio!7 the

husba!d or #i'e o' the co!&ert deserted or repudiated the co!&ert7 the court i"ht7 o! a

petitio! prese!ted by the co!&ert7 pass a decree dissol&i!" the arria"e7 a!d the parties i"ht

the! arry a"ai! as i' the prior arria"e had bee! dissol&ed by death% +o!&ersio! does !ot

operate per se as dissolutio! o' arria"e%

)he Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35 ori"i!ally based di&orce o! the 'ault theory a!d e!shri!ed 5

'ault "rou!ds i! Sectio! 36 /30 o! #hich7 either the husba!d or the #i'e could sue 'or di&orce%

Sectio! 36 has u!der"o!e a substa!tial cha!"e by reaso! o' subse;ue!t ae!de!ts% )he

10 shodhganga.infli$net.ac.in/$itstream/10%0&/810#/.../1'_chapter('05.pd

11 | P a g e


12/26

"rou!ds e!tio!ed i! sub-Sectio! /30 a!d /3-A0 are a&ailable to both the husba!d a!d #i'e=

#hile the "rou!ds e!tio!ed u!der sub-Sectio! /10 are a&ailable o!ly to the #i'e%63 I! 35947

Sectio! 36 /3-A0 has bee! i!serted co!tai!i!" t#o clauses u!der #hich7 !o! resuptio! o'

cohabitatio! 'or t#o years or up#ards a'ter the decree o' judicial separatio! or restitutio! o'

co!ju"al ri"hts #as ade a "rou!d o' di&orce% )his is a odi'icatio! o' clauses /&iii0 a!d

/i(061 o' Sectio! 36 o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35% By the Marria"e La#s /Ae!de!t0

Act 35>97 the period o' t#o years is reduced to o!e year% Sectio! 36 /3-A0 i!troduced a!

elee!t o' Brea$-do#! theory i! the Hi!du Marria"e Act 35

)he Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35 ori"i!ally co!tai!ed t#o 'ault "rou!ds i! Sectio! 36 /10 o!

#hich7 a Hi!du #i'e alo!e could sue 'or di&orce% )he Marria"e La#s /Ae!de!t0 Act 35>9

has i!serted t#o additio!al 'ault "rou!ds o' di&orce 'or #i'e a!d a !e# Sectio! 36-B u!der

#hich7 di&orce by utual co!se!t has bee! ade a&ailable as a atrio!ial relie'% )hus7 i!

the oder! Hi!du la#7 the positio! is that all the three theories o' di&orce are reco"!i?ed a!d

di&orce ca! be obtai!ed o! the basis o' a!y o!e o' the% Further7 the custoary ode o'

di&orce is also retai!ed )he Marria"e La#s /Ae!de!t0 Act7 35>9 has i!troduced certai!

cha!"es o' 'ar-reachi!" co!se;ue!ces7 #hich ha&e aterially a''ected the sacrae!tal

character o' arria"e% )he relie' o' di&orce ay be obtai!ed i! respect o' a!y arria"e

#hether sole!i?ed be'ore or a'ter the coe!cee!t o' this Act% )hus7 Sectio! 36 isretrospecti&e as #ell as prospecti&e operatio!%33

11

12 | P a g e


13/26

CHA!TERIV

G-&0* &- D(+&-,

i% A0,- )he act o' i!dul"i!" i! a!y $i!d o' se(ual relatio!ship i!cludi!"

i!tercourse outside arria"e is tered as adultery% Adultery is cou!ted as a crii!al

o''e!ce a!d substa!tial proo's are re;uired to establish it% A! ae!de!t to the la# i!

35>9 states that o!e si!"le act o' adultery is e!ou"h 'or the petitio!er to "et a di&orce%

ii% C-0, A spouse ca! 'ile a di&orce case #he! heshe is subjected to a!y $i!d o'

e!tal a!d physical i!jury that causes da!"er to li'e7 lib a!d health% )he i!ta!"ible acts

o' cruelty throu"h e!tal torture are !ot jud"ed upo! o!e si!"le act but series o'

i!cide!ts% +ertai! i!sta!ces li$e the 'ood bei!" de!ied7 co!ti!uous ill treate!t a!d

abuses to ac;uire do#ry7 per&erse se(ual act etc are i!cluded u!der cruelty%

iii% D,.,-(&* I' o!e o' the spouses &olu!tarily aba!do!s hisher part!er 'or at least a

period o' t#o years7 the aba!do!ed spouse ca! 'ile a di&orce case o! the "rou!d o'

desertio!%

i&% C&*+,-.(&* I! case either o' the t#o co!&erts hisel'hersel' i!to a!other reli"io!7

the other spouse ay 'ile a di&orce case based o! this "rou!d%

&% M,*/ D(.&-,- Me!tal disorder ca! becoe a "rou!d 'or 'ili!" a di&orce i' the

spouse o' the petitio!er su''ers 'ro i!curable e!tal disorder a!d i!sa!ity a!d there'ore

ca!!ot be e(pected 'ro the couple to stay to"ether%

13 | P a g e

http://lawbaba.in/adultery/http://lawbaba.in/adultery/


14/26

&i% L,'-&. I! case o' a G&irule!t a!d i!curable 'or o' leprosy7 a petitio! ca! be 'iled

by the other spouse based o! this "rou!d%

&ii% V,*,-,/ D(.,/., I' o!e o' the spouses is su''eri!" 'ro a serious disease that is

easily cou!icable7 a di&orce ca! be 'iled by the other spouse% )he se(ually tra!sitted

diseases li$e AIDS are accou!ted to be &e!ereal diseases%

&iii% N& H,/- A(+, I' a perso! is !ot see! or heard ali&e by those #ho are e(pected to

be G!aturally heard o' the perso! 'or a co!ti!uous period o' se&e! years7 the perso! is

presued to be dead% )he other spouse should !eed to 'ile a di&orce i' heshe is i!terested

i! rearria"e%

CHA!TERV

C&*+,-.(&*:

+o!&ersio! o' the spouse to other reli"io! #as o!ly 'or the purpose o' circu&e!ti!" the

pro&isio! o' Sectio! 454 o' I!dia! *e!al +ode7 3892% +o!&ersio! to Isla by a Hi!du spouse

does !ot per se lead to dissolutio! o' the arria"e% It o!ly "i&es a ri"ht to the other spouse to

'ile a petitio! u!der S%36/30/ii0 o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act 'or di&orce% :!der

the pristine Hi!du La# as #ell7 co!&ersio! did !ot operate per se as a dissolutio! o' arria"e%

A Hi!du spouse #ho ceased to be a Hi!du by co!&ersio! to a!other reli"io! does !ot ac;uire

a!y ri"ht u!der the Hi!du Marria"e Act%

spouse #ho reai!s a Hi!du "ets a ri"ht u!der S%36/30/ii0 o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act to see$

dissolutio! o' the arria"e #ith the spouse #ho si!ce the arria"e ceased to be a Hi!du by

co!&ersio! to a!other reli"io!% )he ri"ht o' !o! co!&erti!" spouse is i!de'easible% )he statute

does !ot pro&ide 'or a!y ;uali'icatio! o! such ri"ht o' the !o! co!&erti!" spouse% Nor does

the Hi!du Marria"e Act state that the co!&ersio! shall be a co!&ersio! #ithout the co!se!t o'

14 | P a g e


15/26

the other spouse i! order to e!title such spouse to apply 'or di&orce% A co!&ersio! does !ot

cease to be a co!&ersio! #ithi! the ea!i!" o' S%36/30/ii0 i' it is #ith the co!se!t o' the other

spouse% We ca!!ot read i!to the statute soethi!" #hich is !ot i!te!ded i! the co!te(t= !or

ca! #e ;uali'y a dis;uali'icatio! i! the atter o' co!&ersio! as o!e #ith the co!se!t o' the

others%

Whe! o!e spouse &olu!tarily reli!;uishes o!es reli"io! a!d adopts a!other disti!cti&e

reli"io! a'ter 'oral cereo!ies7 it is co!&ersio! o! his part% )hus7 o!e should adopt soe

other reli"io! #hich ca!!ot be re"arded as Hi!du reli"io!% I' a Hi!du perso! #ho is a ai!

adopts Buddhis7 he is still a Hi!du% He ca!!ot be said to ha&e cha!"ed his reli"io!%

+ha!"e 'ro o!e 'aith o' Hi!duis to a!other does !ot aou!t to co!&ersio!% +o!&ersio!does !ot o' itsel' result i! di&orce= a petitio! u!der this Sectio! is to be ade to the court 'or

di&orce% :!der the a!cie!t Hi!du la#7 the arria"e bei!" a sa!s$ar7 it subsisted e&e! thou"h

o!e o' the spouses has pouse so as to ta$e it out o' the pur&ie# o' S%36/30/ /ii0%

I' o!e spouse ceases to be a Hi!du7 the arria"e co!ti!ues to be "o&er!ed by Hi!du la# a!d

it ca! be dissol&ed o!ly u!der the pro&isio!s o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35% Ho#e&er7 i'

both the spouses cha!"e their reli"io! a!d cease to be Hi!dus7 !o!e o' the ca! i!&o$e the

aid o' this Sectio!% )he reedy o' dissolutio! o' arria"e o! the "rou!d o' co!&ersio! is !ot

a&ailable to the co!&erti!" spouse% It is the other spouse #ho reai!s a Hi!du that ca! a&ail

o' this "rou!d i' he or she so desires%

+o!&ersio! o' the respo!de!t to a !o!-Hi!du 'aith does !ot aou!t to autoatic dissolutio!

o' arria"e% )he petitio!er has to 'ile a petitio! to obtai! a decree o' di&orce% I' the petitio!er

chooses to co!ti!ue to li&e #ith the spouse #ho has co!&erted to a!other reli"io!7 there is

!othi!" to debar hi or her 'ro doi!" so%

A Hi!du arria"e ay be dissol&ed by a decree o' di&orce o! the "rou!d that the respo!de!t

has ceased to be a Hi!du by co!&ersio! to a!other reli"io!% Accordi!" to a!cie!t Hi!du La#

a arria"e #as !ot ipso 'acto dissol&ed by co!&ersio! o' o!e o' the parties to the arria"e%

)hus the statee!t o' objects a!d reaso!s o' the Bill laid do#! that a cha!"e i! reli"io! #as

!ot i!co!siste!t #ith the co!ti!ua!ce o' co!ju"al lo&e a!d it should there'ore !ot be

perissible 'or a party to the arria"e to "et a di&orce by cha!"i!" his or her reli"io!% )he

15 | P a g e


16/26

ri"ht to "et a di&orce u!der this la# is there'ore "i&e! to the party #ho co!ti!ued to be

Hi!du% A soe#hat siilar ri"ht is "i&e! to a perso! cha!"i!" his reli"io! 'or +hristia!ity

u!der the Nati&e +o!&ert@s Marria"e Dissolutio! Act 3899%)hou"h s% 36/30/ii0 co!'ers

e(pressly ri"ht o! a spouse to prese!t a petitio! 'or di&orce a"ai!st the other spouse #ho has

cha!"ed his or her reli"io! a'ter the sole!i?atio! o' arria"e7 but the apostate ca! also 'ile a

petitio! 'or dissolutio! o' arria"e a'ter he or she has ceased to be a Hi!du u!der the Hi!du

Marria"e Act pro&ided he or she is able to establish the "rou!d 'or it% Mere pro'essi!" or

theoretical alle"ia!ce to a reli"io! other tha! a Hi!du reli"io! does !ot ea! co!&ersio! 'or

the purpose o' this pro&isio!% )here ust be &olu!tary reli!;uishe!t o' Hi!du reli"io! by

the respo!de!t a!d 'oral cereo!ial co!&ersio! to a!other reli"io! so as to attract this

pro&isio! 'or the purpose o' di&orce%

C&*+,-.(&* >N/0-, & /* E..,*(/. & , '-&+,:

+o!&ersio! li$e a arria"e is a sole! act% +o!&ersio! 'ro o!e reli"io! to a!other has 'ar

reachi!" co!se;ue!ces social a!d le"al% It a''ects successio!7 arital status a!d also the

ri"ht to see$ electi&e o''ice% Di&orce ca! be "ra!ted o! the "rou!d that the spouse has

cha!"ed the reli"io! /&ide Sectio! 36/30/ii0 o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act0% O:po! co!&ersio! a

perso! ay be "o&er!ed by a di''ere!t perso!al la#% )he ri"ht to co!test i! electio!s 'ro a

co!stitue!cy reser&ed 'ro S+s S)s i"ht be lost i' the perso! #ho has cha!"ed the

reli"io! happe!ed to be a eber o' Scheduled +aste or )ribe%

)hus7 the e&e!t o' co!&ersio! is o' critical iporta!ce 'ro the poi!t o' &ie# o' ri"hts a!d

disabilities o' a co!&ert% +o!&ersio! ca!!ot be treated as a! e&e!t #hich ca! be achie&ed

throu"h a ere declaratio! oral or #riti!"% At the sae tie7 !o particular 'oralities or

cereo!ies are re;uired accordi!" to the la# declared by Supree +ourt% I! 'act7 !o such

cereo!ies are speci'ically prescribed i! a!y reli"ious te(ts or precepts7 thou"h certai!

cereo!ies li$e GSuddhi /i! the case o' Arya Saajists0 a!d baptis /i! the case o'

+hristia!s0 are "o!e throu"h i! practice i! soe cases% +redible e&ide!ce o' the i!te!tio! to

co!&ert 'ollo#ed by de'i!ite o&ert acts to "i&e e''ect to that i!te!tio! is !ecessary%

16 | P a g e


17/26

)he subse;ue!t co!duct o' the co!&ertee is also iporta!t i! reachi!" the co!clusio! that a

co!&ersio! i! its true se!se had ta$e! place a!d there #as "e!ui!e co!&ersio!% )he

e&ide!tiary 'acts #hich establish co!&ersio! ha&e bee! tie a!d a"ai! stated by the Supree

+ourt7 #hile obser&i!" that !o speci'ic ritual or cereo!y is re;uired% Satis'actory e&ide!ce

o' co!&ersio! #hich has al#ays bee! i!sisted upo! by the +ourts is !ecessary especially

#he! #e hear plethora o' coplai!ts o' a!ipulated co!&ersio!s 'or e(tra!eous reaso!s or as

a result o' u!due pressures%

S(0/(&* ,&-, ,*&-,,* & H(*0 M/--(/, A

I! R,: R/ $0/-(? 1891 C/0/ 2467 #here a Hi!du #i'e becae co!&ert to the

Musli 'aith a!d the! arried a Mohaeda!7 it #as held that her earlier arria"e #ith aHi!du husba!d #as !ot dissol&ed by her co!&ersio!% She #as char"ed a!d co!&icted o'

bi"ay u!der S%454 o' I!dia! *e!al +ode7 3892%)here is !o authority i! Hi!du La# 'or the

propositio! that a! apostate is absol&ed 'ro his arital obli"atio! so co!&ersio! to

Mahoeda!is does !ot dissol&e a Hi!du Marria"e% A sacred a!d sole! relatio! li$e

arria"e ca!!ot be re"arded as teri!ated siply by the cha!"e o' 'aith by either spouse%

A Hi!du Marria"e is !ot dissol&ed i' both the spouse adopt +hristia!ity% +o!&ersio! to

a!other reli"io! operate as de"radatio! at Hi!du La# a!d the co!&ert is re"arded as

de"radatio! at outcaste% )he u!co!&erted spouse is 'ully justi'ied i! aba!do!i!" the other a!d

re'usi!" to cohabit7 but this !e&er opposite%

I! G0 M&


18/26

N/*( @ /(*/ +.% T

to a!other reli"io!%

18 | P a g e

http://indiankanoon.org/doc/508426/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/508426/


19/26

CHA!TERVI

C/., L/.:

1) S0-,.< B/0 +. L,,/

)he respo!de!t herei! 'iled a *etitio! u!der Sectio! 36/30/ia07 /ib0 a!d /ii0 o' the Hi!du

Marria"e Act prayi!" 'or the dissolutio! o' her arria"e #ith the appella!t% )he arria"e #as

sole!i?ed o! 3st No&eber 3551% )here are t#o childre! bor! i! the #edloc$% )he

respo!de!t alle"ed that the respo!de!t has eted out cruelty to#ards her a!d he deserted her%

It is also alle"ed that the appella!t herei! ebraced Isla a!d arried o!e Fathia a!d they

are li&i!" to"ether% )he appella!t de!ied the alle"atio! o' cruelty a!d desertio!% Ho#e&er7 it

is aditted by the appella!t that he co!&erted to Isla a!d arried Fathia% )he de'e!ce o'

the appella!t is that his co!&ersio! to Isla #as #ith the co!se!t o' the respo!de!t-#i'e a!d

he arried Fathia si!ce the respo!de!t le't his copa!y co!trary to her proise to co!ti!ue

to li&e #ith hi e&e! a'ter co!&ersio!%31

12 la#coissio!o' (*(/%!ic%i!3-322report>3%pd'

19 | P a g e

http://indiankanoon.org/doc/932494/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/590166/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/590166/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/932494/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/590166/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/590166/


20/26

)he court belo# allo#ed the


21/26

respo!de!t7 the seco!d arria"e is i!&alid i! la# a!d the respo!de!t is "uilty o' a! o''e!ce

u!der S%454 o' the I!dia! *e!al +ode%

)he respo!de!t pleaded !ot "uilty o' the@ o''e!ce alle"ed a"ai!st hi% He 'urther pleaded that

he has !e&er arried the appella!t a!d that the e!tire prosecutio! case is 'alse% 36 )he trial

Ma"istrate a'ter co!sideri!" the e&ide!ce adduced both re"ardi!" the arria"e bet#ee! the

appella!t a!d the respo!de!t as #ell as the alle"ed seco!d arria"e bet#ee!- the respo!de!t

a!d Sa!dhya Ra!i7 held that the arria"e o' the appella!t #ith the respo!de!t #as

established% Not#ithsta!di!" the sca!ti!ess o' the e&ide!ce re"ardi!" the seco!d arria"e7

the )rial Ma"istrate7 ho#e&er7 'ou!d that the respo!de!t had aditted the seco!d arria"e i!

his objectio!s 'iled to a clai ade by the appella!t 'or ai!te!a!ce u!der S% 488 o' the

+ode o' +rii!al *rocedure% I! this &ie# the Ma"istrate held that there ca!!ot be a!y doubt

that the respo!de!t has arried Sa!dhya Ra!i #hile his 'irst #i'e7 the appella!t7 #as still

ali&e% the Ma"istrate 'urther held that as the arria"e #ith the appella!t #as subsisti!"7 the

seco!d arria"e is &oid u!der sectio!% 3> o' the Hi!du Marria"e Act7 35 /Act 1 o' 3507

/herei!a'ter to be re'erred as the Act0 a!d7 there'ore7 the respo!de!t #as "uilty o' the o''e!ce

u!der s% 454 o' the I!dia!% *e!al +ode% )he respo!de!t #as se!te!ced 'or the said o''e!ce to

u!der"o ri"orous ipriso!e!t 'or o!e year a!d also to pay a 'i!e o' Rs% 223- a!d i! de'ault

to su''er ri"orous%

4) !,-0/ N//- +% !&**0./( .0'-/)

A perso! ay be a Hi!du by birth or by co!&ersio!% A ere theoretical alle"ia!ce to the

Hi!du 'aith by a perso! bor! i! a!other 'aith does !ot co!&ert hi i!to a Hi!du7 !or is a bare

declaratio! that he is a Hi!du su''icie!t to co!&ert hi to Hi!duis% But a bo!a 'ide

i!te!tio! to be co!&erted to the Hi!du 'aith7 accopa!ied by co!duct u!e;ui&ocally

e(pressi!" that i!te!tio! ay be su''icie!t e&ide!ce o' co!&ersio!% No 'oral cereo!y o'

puri'icatio! or e(piatio! is !ecessary to e''ectuate co!&ersio!%

)he Supree +ourt also obser&ed i! our jud"e!t the 'i!di!" o' the courts belo# that

A!!apa?ha #as co!&erted to Hi!duis be'ore her arria"e to *erual is aply supported

by e&ide!ce%

13 login.westlawindia.com/

21 | P a g e

http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1569253/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/261195/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1569253/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/261195/


22/26

5) !0*/-/& V. D-% D%!% M,.


23/26

#hich he #ould li$e to ebrace #ould better ta$e care o' his spiritual #ell-bei!" or

other#ise accoplish his le"itiate aspiratio!s% At ties it ay be hard to 'i!d a!y ratio!al

reaso! 'or co!&ersio! i!to a!other reli"io!% )he reaso! 'or or propriety o' co!&ersio! ca!!ot

be jud"ed 'ro the sta!dards o' ratio!ality or reaso!able!ess%

)he discussio! o! co!&ersio! "e!erates thou"hts o! reli"io! a!d reli"ious 'aith% )here is !o

precise de'i!itio! o' reli"io!% GReli"io!7 it is said7 is a atter o' 'aith a!d belie' i! Cod is !ot

esse!tial to co!stitute reli"io!% I! Shirur Mutt case /AIR 354 S+ 18107 Mu$herjee7 ade

the 'ollo#i!" perti!e!t obser&atio!s o! reli"io! a!d Hi!du reli"io! i! particular Reli"io! is

certai!ly a atter o' 'aith #ith i!di&iduals or cou!ities a!d it is !ot !ecessarily theistic%

)here are #ell $!o#! reli"io!s i! I!dia li$e Buddhis a!d ai!is #hich do !ot belie&e i!

Cod or i! a!y I!telli"e!t First +ause% A reli"io! u!doubtedly has its basis i! a syste o'

belie's or doctri!es #hich are re"arded by those #ho pro'ess that reli"io! as co!duci&e to

their spiritual #ell bei!"7 but it #ould !ot be correct to say that reli"io! is !othi!" else but a

doctri!e or belie'% A reli"io! ay !ot o!ly lay do#! a code o' ethical rules 'or its 'ollo#ers to

accept7 it i"ht prescribe rituals a!d obser&a!ces7 cereo!ies a!d odes o' #orship #hich

are re"arded as i!te"ral parts o' reli"io! a!d these 'ors a!d obser&a!ces i"ht e(te!d e&e!

to atters o' 'ood a!d dress%

23 | P a g e


24/26

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS :

)o e(plore the i!iu coo! u!a!iity i! theory by #ay o' co!ceptual a!alysis o'

di''ere!t atrio!ial la#s% It is a #ell $!o#! 'act that the i!stitutio! o' arria"e %Withi! a

o!th a'ter the date o' co!&ersio!7 the co!&erted perso!7 i' shehe chooses7 ca! se!d a

declaratio! to the o''icer i! char"e o' re"istratio! o' arria"es i! the co!cer!ed area%

)he re"isteri!" o''icial shall e(hibit a copy o' the declaratio! o! the Notice Board o' the

o''ice till the date o' co!'iratio!% )he said declaratio! shall co!tai! the re;uisite details

&i?%7 the particulars o' the co!&ert such as date o' birth7 pera!e!t address7 a!d the prese!t

place o' reside!ce7 'athershusba!ds !ae7 the reli"io! to #hich the co!&ert ori"i!ally

belo!"ed a!d the reli"io! to #hich he or she co!&erted7 the date a!d place o' co!&ersio! a!d

!ature o' the process "o!e throu"h 'or co!&ersio!%

Withi! 13 days 'ro the date o' se!di!"'ili!" the declaratio!7 the co!&erted i!di&idual ca!

appear be'ore the re"isteri!" o''icer7 establish herhis ide!tity a!d co!'ir the co!te!ts o' the

declaratio!% )he Re"isteri!" o''icer shall record the 'actu o' declaratio! a!d co!'iratio! i!

a re"ister ai!tai!ed 'or this purpose% I' a!y objectio!s are !oti'ied7 he ay siply record

the i%e%7 the !ae a!d particulars o' objector a!d the !ature o' objectio!%

+erti'ied copies o' declaratio!7 co!'iratio! a!d the e(tracts 'ro the re"ister shall be

'ur!ished to the party #ho "a&e the declaratio! or the authori?ed le"al represe!tati&e7 o!

24 | P a g e


25/26

re;uest% No#7 the ;uestio! arises as to ho# the abo&e recoe!datio!s could be

iplee!ted% It is clari'ied that i! #hiche&er State7 there is a la# "o&er!i!" co!&ersio! such

as Freedo o' Reli"io! Act7 the abo&e recoe!datio!s do !ot apply% )he ;uestio! the! is

#hether 'or iplee!tatio! o' the said recoe!datio!s i! other States7 the e!acte!t o'

la# by *arliae!t is !ecessary% )he +oissio! is i!cli!ed to thi!$ that a separate

e!acte!t or ae!de!ts to the respecti&e perso!al la#s is !ot re;uired to "i&e e''ect to this

siple recoe!datio! ha&i!" re"ard to the 'act that it does !ot "o co!trary to the e(isti!"

pro&isio!s o' la# !or does i! a!y #ay ipi!"e o! the reli"ious 'reedo or 'aith o' a!y

perso!% Matters relati!" to co!&ersio!reco!&ersio! are "o&er!ed by the perso!al la#s i!

respect o' #hich *arliae!t has po#er to a$e la#s% )he +e!tral Co&er!e!t ca! e(ercise

its e(ecuti&e po#er u!der Article >6 to issue appropriate i!structio!s to the :!io! )erritories%

BIBILIOGRA!H":

CASES:

3% *riya Bala Chosh &s Suresh +ha!dra Chosh 7 AIR 3596

1% Sarla Mud"al7 *reside!t7 Kalya!i a!d


26/26

*ro'essor7 Departe!t o' La#s7 Bha"at *hool Si!"h Woe! :!i&ersity7 Ka!pur

Kala! So!epat7 Harya!a /I!dia0

B

Documents

family final project.docx