Family Law - I Project

8/17/2019 Family Law - I Project

1/22

YOUSUF RAWTHER V/S SOWARAMMA

Project Work of Family Law !

O"

#Yo$%$f Rawt&er '/% Sowaramma(

S$)mitte* To+

Mr, Ra'i Ra"ja" -$mar

Fac$lty of Family Law !

S$)mitte* .y+

-$mar Vikram A*itya

Roll o, 0123

2"* Year .,.,A, LL,., 4Ho"%5

CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITYPage 1


2/22


A6-OWLE78EMET

I am highly elated to have wored o! my re"ear#h to$i# %Yo$%$f Rawt&er '/% Sowaramma&

'!der the g'ideli!e" o( Mr, Ra'i Ra"ja" -$mar Fac$lty of Family Law !, I am very

grate('l to him (or hi" $ro$er g'ida!#e)

I wo'ld lie to tae thi" o$$ort'!ity to e*$re"" my $ro(o'!d gratit'de a!d dee$ regard to him

(or hi" e*em$lary g'ida!#e+ val'a,le (eed,a# a!d #o!"ta!t e!#o'rageme!t thro'gho't the

d'ratio! o( the $ro-e#t)

Hi" val'a,le "'gge"tio!" were o( imme!"e hel$ thro'gho't my $ro-e#t wor)

Hi" $er#e$tive #riti#i"m e$t me wori!g to mae thi" $ro-e#t i! a m'#h ,etter way) Wori!g

'!der him wa" a! e*tremely !owledgea,le e*$erie!#e (or me)

I wo'ld al"o lie to tha! all my (rie!d" a!d my "e!ior" a!d a$art (rom all the"e I wo'ld lie

to give "$e#ial regard to the li,raria! o( my '!iver"ity who made a releva!t e((ort regardi!g

to $rovide the material" to my to$i# a!d al"o a""i"ti!g me)

.i!ally I wo'ld lie to tha! my $are!t" a!d ,rother (or their imme!"e "'$$ort a!d $re"e!#ed'ri!g thi" whole $ro-e#t wor)

K'mar Viram Aditya



3/22


TA.LE OF 6OTETS

•Aim a!d O,-e#tive)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))/

• Re"ear#h 0ethodology)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))/

• So'r#e o( 1ata))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))/

• .a#t" a!d 2'dgeme!t)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))345

.a#t))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))3

Co'rt Held)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))5

• 6rovi"io!" Related to Ca"e))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))7487

I!trod'#tio!))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))749

1ivor#e law i! I!dia))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))9

Irretrieva,le :readow! o( 0arriage)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))));488

Why Irretrieva,le :readow!))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))8848< 0erit" a!d 1emerit" o( the Theory o( Irretrieva,le :readow!))))))))))8=483

78"t Re$ort o( the Law Commi""io! O( I!dia >8;79?))))))))))))))))))))))))))83485

.a'lt Theory V) :readow! Theory))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))85487

• Other Releva!t Ca"e"))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))8948;

Navee! Kohli v) Neel' Kohli)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))89

0adh'ar v) Saral))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))89

@a-e!dra v) 0adh' 0ati))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))89

0a!-'la v) K)R) 0ahe"h))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))89

Vi"h!' 1'tt Sharma v) 0a!-' Sharma)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))8948;

• Criti"i#i"m Co!#l'"io!))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))


4/22


• To !ow the $rovi"io!" o( the #a"e)

• To !ow other #a"e" related to the $rovi"io!")

RESEAR6H METHO7LO8Y

The vario'" ,oo"+ vario'" arti#le"+ we,"ite"+ Law -o'r!al"+ A#t"+ Treati"e"+ are re(erred (or

thi" to$i#) The "o'r#e" (rom whi#h the material (or thi" re"ear#h #olle#ted are $rimary

"e#o!dary) The methodology '"ed i! the re"ear#h ha" ,ee! 1o#tri!al) No !o!4do#tri!al

method ha" ,ee! '"ed ,y the re"ear#her i! thi" $ro-e#t wor)

SOUR6ES OF 7ATA

• 6rimary So'r#e" 4 8) 0arriage 1ivor#e Law")• Se#o!dary So'r#e" 4 8) :oo" o! Hi!d' 0ohammada! Law


5/22


%While there i" !o ro"e whi#h ha" !o thor!" ,'t i( what yo' hold i" all thor! a!d !o ro"e+

,etter throw it away)&

The gro'!d (or divor#e i" !ot #o!-'gal g'ilt ,'t ,readow! o( marriageE*t) 1


6/22


The wi(e" "'it (or divor#e wa" di"mi""ed a" it wa" (o'!d that "he wa" !either (aith('l !or

o,edie!t to her h'",a!d) So al"o wa" the wi(e" "'it di"mi""ed+ where the wi(e+ who lived

"e$arately+ wa" !ot ready a!d willi!g to $er(orm her $art o( marital d'tie")

PROV!S!OS RELATE7 TO THE 6ASE

!"tro*$ctio"

0arriage #o!"tit'te" the very ,a"i" o( "o#ial orga!iDatio!) Hi!d' law regard" marriage a" a

"a#rame!t4 i!di""ol',le a!d eter!al) Thi" "a#rame!tal #hara#ter o( marriage ha" give! ri"e to

#ertai! a!omalie") The de#laratio! o( 0a!' that !either ,y "ale !or ,y de"ertio! i" wi(erelea"ed (rom the h'",a!d wa" a$$lied o!ly to wome! a!d !ot me!) Th'" there wa" a!



7/22


eleme!t o( i!here!t i!-'"ti#e o! the wi(e i! Hi!d' law) To #o'!ter "'#h i!eF'alitie" amo!g

"$o'"e" a!d to $rote#t the "a#rame!tal a"$e#t o( marriage+ Hi!d' 0arriage A#t+ 8;33 wa"

e!a#ted whi#h $rovided #ertai! matrimo!ial remedie")=

0arriage i" a! i!"tit'tio! i! the mai!te!a!#e o( whi#h the $',li# at large i" dee$ly i!tere"ted)

It i" the (o'!datio! o( the (amily a!d i! t'r! o( the "o#iety witho't whi#h !o #iviliDatio! #a!

e*i"t) /A marriage "olem!iDed+ whether ,e(ore or a(ter the #omme!#eme!t o( the Hi!d'

0arriage A#t+ 8;33 #a! o!ly ,e di""olved ,y a de#ree o( divor#e o! a!y o( the gro'!d"

e!'merated i! Se#tio! 8= o( the A#t) Till the time a Hi!d' marriage i" di""olved '!der the A#t

!o!e o( the "$o'"e" #a! #o!tra#t "e#o!d marriage) Th'"+ it i" o,vio'" (rom the vario'"

$rovi"io!" o( the A#t that the moder! Hi!d' Law "tri#tly e!(or#e" mo!ogamy) Eve! '!der the

0'"lim Law $l'rality o( marriage i" !ot '!#o!ditio!ally #o!(erred '$o! the h'",a!d)

0'"lim law a" traditio!ally i!ter$reted a!d a$$lied i! I!dia $ermit" more tha! o!e marriage

d'ri!g the "',"i"te!#e o( o!e a!d a!other tho'gh #a$a#ity to do -'"ti#e ,etwee! #o wive" i!

law i" #o!ditio! $re#ede!t)3

A" $er the Hi!d' Law admi!i"tered ,y #o'rt" i! I!dia divor#e wa" !ot re#og!iDed a" a mea!"

to $'t a! e!d to marriage+ whi#h wa" alway" #o!"idered to ,e a "a#rame!t+ with o!ly

e*#e$tio! where it i" re#og!iDed ,y #'"tom) 6',li# $oli#y+ good moral" a!d the i!tere"t" o(

3 tt&'((www.man)&atra*ast.%#m(arti%les(P#&+&enArti%le.as&-ID/9/%51*/

06154*a$92e/"/"24"0369ttsear%)$e%t'20Family20Law, A##e""ed

o!


8/22


"o#iety were #o!"idered to reF'ire a!d e!"'re that+ i( at all+ "evera!#e "ho'ld ,e allowed o!ly

i! the ma!!er a!d (or the rea"o! or #a'"e "$e#i(ied i! law)5

O!e o( the #a'"e" e*$re""ly re#og!iDed ,y law i" the legal "a!#tio! o( a valid #'"tom to

di""olve a marriage) Th'" the r'le" o( di""ol'tio! o( marriage a!d mo!ogamy are "',-e#t to a

valid #'"tom to the #o!trary) Thi" "how" that the law relati!g to marriage a!d divor#e o(

Hi!d'" ha" a! i!ver"e relatio!"hi$ with a re#og!iDed valid #'"tom)7

7i'orce Law i" !"*ia

There wa" a time whe! it wa" ,elieved that the marriage" were arra!ged i! heave! a!d it '"ed

to ,e a relatio! o( (le"h with (le"h a!d ,o!e with ,o!e) So the F'e"tio! o( "e$aratio! (rom

ea#h other wa" a (ar #ry) :'t "lowly a!d "teadily thi" #o!#e$t did !ot (i!d (avo'r with "o#ialre(ormer"+ who wa!ted that a woma! m'"t !ot ,e #hai!ed with a ma! who i" #om$letely

devoid o( all the virt'e" that a rea"o!a,le h'",a!d "ho'ld have) The :riti"h @over!me!t

(row!ed '$o! a!y e((ort to mae radi#al #ha!ge" i! the $rovi"io!" o( Hi!d' Law+ altho'gh

Hi!d' re(ormer" were agitati!g (or "'#h #ha!ge" (rom time to time)

The Hi!d' 0arriage A#t+ 8;33 #ame i!to e*i"te!#e+ eight year" a(ter the i!de$e!de!#e o( the

#o'!try) Se#tio! 8= o( the Hi!d' 0arriage A#t deal with the gro'!d" o! whi#h the $artie" #a!

"ee a de#ree o( divor#e (rom a #om$ete!t #o'rt havi!g -'ri"di#tio! to e!tertai! "'#h $etitio!)

I! the literal "e!"e divor#e mea!" a legal "e$aratio! o( two $er"o!" o( the o$$o"ite "e* who

de"ire to re"$e#t a!d ho!o'r ea#h other )9

6 tt&s'(($arat%)g.w#r"&ress.%#m(%ateg#ry(*amilylaw(, A##e""ed o!


9/22


!rretrie'a)le .reak*ow" of Marria:e

Thi" mea!" the #o'$le #a! !o lo!ger live together a" ma! a!d wi(e) :oth $art!er"+ a!d o!e

$art!er+ m'"t $rove to the #o'rt that the marriage ,roe dow! "o ,adly that there i" !o

rea"o!a,le #ha!#e o( getti!g ,a# together)

Till date+ the $revaili!g law" i! I!dia regardi!g the i""'e o( divor#e have !ot re#og!iDed a

"it'atio! where the "$o'"e" are (a#i!g a "it'atio! that de"$ite the (a#t that they live '!der the

"ame roo(+ their marriage i" eF'ivale!t to a "e$aratio!) That i"+ there i" "till !o #odi(ied law

(or irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage) The Hi!d' 0arriage A#t re#og!iDe (ew gro'!d" (or

di""ol'tio! o( marriage i! Se#tio! 8=):'t with the #ha!ge i! the "o#ial more" a!d i! view o(

the #ha!gi!g !at're o( marriage i! the "o#iety+ the "'$reme #o'rt ha" "how! "$e#ial #o!#er!over the matter o( mai!g irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage a" a gro'!d (or divor#e) The

S'$reme Co'rt ha" with a view to do #om$lete -'"ti#e a!d "horte! ago!y o( the $artie"

e!gaged i! lo!g draw! ,attle+ dire#ted di""ol'tio! o( marriage) I!deed+ the"e were

e*#e$tio!al #a"e"+ a" the law doe" !ot "$e#i(i#ally $rovide (or the di""ol'tio! o( marriage o!

the gro'!d" other tha! tho"e give! i! Hi!d' 0arriage A#t+ 8;33) Irretrieva,le ,readow! o(

marriage i" !ot a gro'!d (or divor#e '!der the Hi!d' 0arriage A#t+ 8;33) :e#a'"e o( the

#ha!ge o( #ir#'m"ta!#e" a!d (or #overi!g a large !'m,er o( #a"e" where the marriage" are

virt'ally dead a!d '!le"" thi" #o!#e$t i" $re""ed i!to "ervi#e"+ the divor#e #a!!ot ,e gra!ted)

Ultimately+ it i" (or the Legi"lat're whether to i!#l'de irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage a"

a gro'!d o( divor#e or !ot ,'t i! o'r #o!"idered o$i!io! the Legi"lat're m'"t #o!"ider

irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage a" a gro'!d (or gra!t o( divor#e '!der the Hi!d'

0arriage A#t+ 8;33)

E*am$le" o( the i!d o( evide!#e the #o'rt will a##e$t a" $roo( o( irretrieva,le ,readow!

• The #o'$le ha" !ot lived together lie h'",a!d a!d wi(e (or a $eriod o( time)

• O!e $art!er had "e*'al i!ter#o'r"e with "ome,ody el"e a!d ,e#a'"e o( thi" the other

$art!er (i!d" it im$o""i,le to #o!ti!'e livi!g together a" h'",a!d a!d wi(e)

• O!e $art!er i" i! $ri"o! a(ter ,ei!g de#lared a! ha,it'al #rimi!al) >Thi" mea!" he or

"he ee$" #ommitti!g #rime"+ a!d ,e#a'"e o( thi" wa" "e!te!#ed to 8B483 year" i!

$ri"o!)?

• O!e $art!er de"erted the other)

•

O!e $art!er a,'"ed the other+ (or e*am$le the h'",a!d ee$" a""a'lti!g the wi(e)• O!e $art!er i" a! al#oholi# or a dr'g addi#t)



10/22


• The $art!er" !o lo!ger love ea#h other 4 they may ,e too di((ere!t+ or they married

whe! they were too yo'!g) 4 O!e o( the $art!er" (i!d" it im$o""i,le to live together a"

h'",a!d a!d wi(e (or a!y other rea"o!)

I! A) 2aya#ha!dra v) A!eel Ka'r ;+ the S'$reme Co'rt e*ami!ed "'#h #a"e") A!d a(ter

di"#'""i!g the (a#t #o!#l'ded th'" Whe! the re"$o!de!t give" $riority to her $ro(e""io! over

her h'",a!dJ" (reedom it $oi!t" '!erri!gly at di"harmo!y+ di(('"io! a!d di"i!tegratio! o(

marital '!ity+ (rom whi#h the Co'rt #a! ded'#e a,o't irretrieva,le ,reai!g o( marriage) The

Co'rt (o'!d the marriage irretrieva,ly ,roe! dow! a!d gra!ted divor#e to the h'",a!d) Thi"

i" however very "'r$ri"i!g+ a" ma!y a time" i! the "imilar #ir#'m"ta!#e" the #o'rt+ rather the!

gra!ti!g a de#ree (or divor#e ha" ordered (or the re"tit'tio! o( #o!-'gal right" holdi!g the

!otio! o( a Hi!d' marriage ,ei!g "a#ro"a!#t a" the very (o'!datio! o( de#ree (or re"tit'tio!)

The idea ,ehi!d the de#laratio! o( irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage i" al"o ,a"ed o! the

#o!"e!t a" it $lay" a ma-or role i! the o##'rre!#e o( a valid marriage) Si!#e #o!"e!t i"

a##orded $rima#y at the time o( marriage+ it (ollow" that whe! o!e or ,oth $artie" ,elieve that

the marriage ha" ,roe!+ they #a! $etitio! (or divor#e) Whe! ,oth $artie" agree the marriage

ha" (ailed+ they #a! a$$ly (or divor#e ,y m't'al #o!"e!t) Whe! o!ly o!e o( the $artie"

,elieve" that the marriage i" (aili!g+ it wo'ld ,e e!a,li!g (or the $arty to "ee divor#e arg'i!gthat the marriage ha" ,roe! dow!+ de"$ite the '!willi!g!e"" o( the other $arty to e!d the

relatio!"hi$)

However+ e*#e$t i! the I"lami# law+ %irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage& i" !ot (o'!d i!

a!y legi"latio! a" a "$e#i(i# gro'!d (or divor#e) There are (ive #e!tral #o!#er!" a,o't

,ri!gi!g the gro'!d o( irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage i!to the divor#e "tat'te) The"e

are

8) 0arriage relatio!"hi$ i" a##orded "a!#tity i! o'r "o#iety+ whi#h wo'ld ,e treated with

levity i( thi" gro'!d o( divor#e i" availa,leG


11/22


Re#og!itio! o( irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage a" a gro'!d (or divor#e reF'ire" "etti!g

a"ide o'r !otio!" o( the "a!#tity o( the marriage relatio!"hi$) The "a!#tity that "'#h

relatio!"hi$ ha" ari"e" o!ly (rom the e*#e$tio!al "hari!g a!d tr'"t that "'#h relatio!"hi$

i!volve"+ a!d #a!!ot ,e "'"tai!ed o! e*ter!al !otio!" o( '!ity a!d o,ligatio!) Related to thi"

i" the i""'e o( "tigma+ whi#h we !eed to over#ome a!d addre"" i!"tead o( the de$e!de!#ie"

ari"i!g o't o( "'#h relatio!"hi$") Thi" wo'ld matter treme!do'"ly i! hel$i!g the woma!

regai! "ome mea"'re o( #o!(ide!#e)

The la"t three o,-e#tio!" #a! ,e dealt with together+ ,y i!trod'#i!g i! the gro'!d (or

irretrieva,le ,readow!+ adeF'ate "a(eg'ard" whi#h i!trod'#e o,-e#tive eleme!t" to

determi!e whe! there i" a! irretrieva,le ,readow!+ a!d $rovidi!g (or the a!#illary i""'e" i!

the marriage relatio!"hi$ to ,e re"olved a" a #o!ditio! (or gra!t o( divor#e) Thi" wo'ld

i!#l'de (i!a!#ial "'$$ort to the "$o'"e a!d #hildre!+ arra!geme!t" o! the #'"tody o( the

#hildre!+ di"tri,'tio! o( the $ro$erty o( the "$o'"e"+ et#) Where the "$o'"e a$$lyi!g (or the

divor#e ha" #ommitted a wro!g+ thi" #o'ld ,e a (a#tor i! determi!i!g the mai!te!a!#e

gra!ted to the other "$o'"e) While thi" gro'!d may "eem a! attra#tive a!d ea"y o$tio!+ the

i!trod'#tio! o( o,-e#tive (a#tor" to determi!e ,readow! will e!"'re that thi" gro'!d i" !ot

o$ted (or o! whim or a! im$'l"e)8B

W&y !rretrie'a)le .reak*ow";

The theoreti#al ,a"i" (or i!#l'di!g the irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage a" a gro'!d (or

divor#e i" !ow #ommo!ly !ow! amo!g lawyer" a!d -'ri"t") Re"tri#ti!g the gro'!d o(

divor#e to a $arti#'lar o((e!#e or matrimo!ial di"a,ility #a'"e" i!-'"ti#e i! tho"e #a"e" where

the "it'atio! i" "'#h that altho'gh !o!e o( the $artie" i" at (a'lt+ or the (a'lt i" o( "'#h a !at're

that the $artie" to the marriage do !ot wi"h to div'lge it+ yet there ha" ari"e! a "it'atio! i!

whi#h the marriage #a!!ot ,e woredG that i"+ where the marriage ha" all e*ter!al

a$$eara!#e" o( marriage ,'t !o!e o( the reality) I! "'#h #ir#'m"ta!#e"+ there i" hardly a!y

'tility i! mai!tai!i!g the marriage a" a (aade+ whe! the emotio!al a!d other ,o'!d" whi#h

are the e""e!#e o( marriage have di"a$$eared) A(ter the marriage ha" #ea"ed to e*i"t i!

"',"ta!#e a!d i! reality+ there i" !o rea"o! (or de!yi!g divor#e) I! a "it'atio! lie thi"+ the

$artie" alo!e #a! de#ide whether their m't'al relatio! i" emotio!ally a!d "o#ially real a!d

"tro!g or !ot) 1ivor#e "ho'ld ,e "ee! a" a "ol'tio! a!d a way o't o( a di((i#'lt "it'atio!) S'#h

10 tt&'((law%#mmissi#n#?n"ia.ni%.in(51100(Rert/1.&"* , A##e""ed o! 87B9


12/22


divor#e "ho'ld !ot ,e #o!#er!ed with the wro!g" o( the $a"t"+ ,'t m'"t (o#'" o! ,ri!gi!g the

$artie" a!d the #hildre! to term" with the !ew "it'atio! a!d develo$me!t" ,y wori!g o't the

mo"t "ati"(a#tory ,a"i" '$o! whi#h they may reg'late their relatio! i! the #ha!gi!g "#e!ario) 88

O!e o( the (a#t" (rom whi#h the irretrieva,le ,readow! #a! ,e $re"'med i"+ whether the

h'",a!d a!d wi(e have ,ee! livi!g a$art #o!ti!'o'"ly (or a lo!g time) However+ livi!g a$art

"ho'ld ,e the o!ly $roo( o( irretrieva,le ,readow!) Th'"+ it i" !ot e!o'gh (or the $artie" to

aver that there a" ,ee! a! irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage) S'#h a! averme!t m'"t ,e

"',"ta!tiated a!d the (a#t that the $artie" to a marriage have !ot lived together (or a lo!g

$eriod o( time #a! rea"o!a,ly tae! to ,e a ta!gi,le $re"'m$tive $roo( o( the ,readow! o(

marriage ) I! Sa!dhya Ra!i v) Kalya!ram Naraya!a!8


13/22


Merit% A"* 7emerit% Of T&e T&eory Of !rretrie'a)le .reak*ow"

:e(ore di"#'""i!g the merit" a!d demerit" o( the theory o( irretrieva,le ,readow!+ a F'e"tio!

ari"e"+ that whether the Hi!d' 0arriage A#t #a! ,e ame!ded with a view to mai!g

irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage a" a good gro'!d (or gra!t o( a de#ree o( divor#e I!

"eei!g a!"wer to the F'e"tio! we have to ,ear i! mi!d the #ha!gi!g !at're o( the (amily)

The (amily i" ,e#omi!g more demo#rati# a!d more egalitaria!) :oth the h'",a!d a!d wi(e

"hare !ot o!ly the (amily ho'"eG i! "ome #a"e" they al"o "hare the ear!i!g" o( ea#h other)

:e#a'"e o( the ri"i!g rate o( (emale a#tivity+ the (amily '!it i" more o( a #oalitio!) It i"there(ore !e#e""ary that i( the #oalitio! #a!!ot ,e wored+ the legal "a!#tio! (or it m'"t ,e

withdraw!)

I! a!"wer to the o,ligatio! that the gro'!d o( irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage i" vag'e+ it

may ,e "tated that the $etitio!er ha" to "ati"(y the #o'rt o( a #o!#rete (a#t4 livi!g a$art (or a

"'((i#ie!t le!gth o( time) 2'dge" have th'" to ad-'di#ate o! (a#t" >!ot o! "ome vag'e

#o!#e$t"? the F'e"tio! whether or !ot+ o! the evide!#e ,e(ore them+ the $artie" have ,ee!

livi!g a$art (or the "$e#i(ied $eriod)

A law o( divor#e ,a"ed mai!ly o! (a'lt i" i!adeF'ate to deal with a ,roe! marriage) U!der

the (a'lty theory+ g'ilt ha" to ,e $rovedG divor#e #o'rt" are $re"e!ted #o!#rete i!"ta!#e" o(

h'ma! ,ehavio'r a" ,ri!g the i!"tit'tio! o( marriage i!to di"re$'te) :e#a'"e o( the divor#e o(

matrimo!ial o((e!#e+ -'dge"+ a!d lawyer" are "ometime" red'#ed to the role o( "#ave!ger")

The lawyer" have to loo (or a!d e*$o"e a!d the -'dge" are #o!(ro!ted with+ the wor"t

o,"#e!itie" withi! a married li(e) It i" there(ore+ !ot "'r$ri"i!g that with the $re"e!t adver"ary"y"tem all ty$e" o( allegatio!" are (reely h'rled a#ro"" the #o'rtroom) We !eed !ot "ta!d o!

a! old divor#e law whi#h dema!d" that me! a!d wome! m'"t ,e (o'!d i!!o#e!t or g'ilty) It

i" de"ira,le to get rid o( the $',li# wa"hi!g o( dirt li!e! whi#h tae" $la#e i! lo!g draw!4o't

#r'elty #a"e" or i! #a"e" ,a"ed o! (a'lt) I( divor#e i" allowed to go thro'gh o! the gro'!d o(

marriage ,readow!+ "'#h a! '!ha$$y "$e#ta#le will ,e avoided)

O!e #a!!ot "ay that it i" a! e!ha!#eme!t o( the re"$o!de!t (or marriage i( there are te!" o(

tho'"a!d" o( me! a!d wome! de"$erately a!*io'" to reg'lariDe their $o"itio! i! the



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#omm'!ity a!d they are '!a,le to do "o) 6eo$le "ho'ld ,e a,le to marry agai! where they

#a! o,tai! a death #erti(i#ate i! re"$e#t o( a marriage already lo!g "i!#e dead) The o,-e#tio!

that irretrieva,le ,readow! a" a gro'!d o( divor#e i" vag'e ha" ,ee! already dealt with)

Other o,-e#tio!" to it may ,e dealt with4

a? Irretrieva,le ,readow! allow" the "$o'"e"+ or eve! o!e "$o'"e+ to termi!ate the marriage

at will+ th'" tra!"(ormi!g marriage (rom a '!io! (or li(e i!to o!e whi#h #a! ,e e!ded at

$lea"'re+

,? It i" !e#e""ary to the ,a"i# $ri!#i$le that !o ma! "ho'ld ,e allowed to tae adva!tage o( hi"

ow! wro!gG a "$o'"e who wa" re"$o!"i,le (or the ,readow! o( marriage "ho'ld !ot ,e a,le

to rely o! "'#h ,readow! i! order to o,tai! a divor#e agai!"t hi" or her $art!erJ" will) :ya'thoriDi!g o!e "$o'"e to divor#e the other agai!"t the latterJ" will a(ter "e$aratio! (or a

"$e#i(i# $eriodG the law will have give! "tat'tory re#og!itio! (or the (ir"t time to the $ri!#i$le

that a $er"o! may tae adva!tage o( hi" or her ow! wro!g)

The theory that o!e #a!!ot tae adva!tage o( o!eJ" ow! wro!g ha" !ot ,ee! adhered to i! the

Hi!d' 0arriage A#t i! the $a"t) A##ordi!g to #la'"e >ii? o( "', "e#tio! >8A? o( "e#tio! 8= o(

the A#t+ either $arty to a marriage+ whether "olem!iDed ,e(ore or a(ter the #omme!#eme!t o(

thi" A#t+ may $re"e!t a $etitio! (or the di""ol'tio! o( the marriage ,y a de#ree o( divor#e o!

the gro'!d that there ha" ,ee! !o re"tit'tio! o( #o!-'gal right" a" ,etwee! the $artie" to the

marriage (or a $eriod o( o!e year or a(terward" a(ter the $a""i!g o( a de#ree (or the re"tit'tio!

o( #o!-'gal right" i! $ro#eedi!g" to whi#h they were $artie") Thi" $rovi"io! #learly

#o!tem$late" that eve! the $arty whi#h ha" ,ee! i! the wro!g i! "o (ar a" it ha" (ailed to

#om$ly with a de#ree (or re"tit'tio! o( #o!-'gal right" #a! al"o a$$ly (or a de#ree o( divor#e

o! the gro'!d that there ha" ,ee! !o re"tit'tio! o( #o!-'gal right" a" ,etwee! the $artie" to

the marriage (or a $eriod o( o!e year or '$ward" a(ter the $a""i!g o( the de#ree (or re"tit'tio!

o( #o!-'gal right" i! a $ro#eedi!g to whi#h they were $artie") S'#h a $arty+ tho'gh at (a'lt+

wo'ld th'" ,e tae! adva!tage o( it" ow! (a'lt) It #a!!ot there(ore ,e "aid that '!der the

$rovi"io! o( the Hi!d' 0arriage A#t+ a" they "ta!d at $re"e!t+ !o $er"o! #a! ,e allowed to

tae adva!tage o( hi" ow! wro!g)

Th'"+ o!#e the marriage ha" ,roe! dow! ,eyo!d re$air+ it wo'ld ,e '!reali"ti# (or the law

!ot to tae !oti#e o( that (a#t+ a!d it wo'ld ,e harm('l to "o#iety a!d i!-'rio'" to the i!tere"t"

o( the $artie" i( the legal ,o!d i" "o'ght to ,e mai!tai!ed !otwith"ta!di!g the di"a$$eara!#e



15/22


o( the emotio!al "',"trat'm) S'#h a #o'r"e wo'ld e!#o'rage #o!ti!'o'" ,i#eri!g $er$et'al

,itter!e""+ a!d may o(te! lead to immorality) Where there ha" ,ee! a lo!g $eriod o(

#o!ti!'o'" "e$aratio!+ it may (airly ,e "'mmari"ed that the matrimo!ial ,o!d i" ,eyo!d

re$air) The marriage ,e#ome" a (i#tio!+ tho'gh "'$$orted ,y a legal tie) :y re('"i!g to "ever

that tie the law i! "'#h #a"e" doe" !ot "erve the "a!#tity o( marriageG o! the #o!trary+ it "how"

"#a!t regard (or the (eeli!g" a!d emotio!" o( the $artie")

6',li# i!tere"t" dema!d" !ot o!ly that the married "tat'" "ho'ld+ a" (ar a" $o""i,le+ a" lo!g a"

$o""i,le+ a!d whe!ever $o""i,le+ ,e mai!tai!ed+ ,'t al"o that the #o'rt "ho'ld ,e em$owered

to de#lare de('!#t de -'re what i" already de('!#t de (a#to+ where a marriage ha" ,ee!

wre#ed ,eyo!d the ho$e o( "alvage+ $',li# i!tere"t lie" i! the re#og!itio! o( that (a#t) To

ee$ the "ham i" o,vio'"ly #o!d'#ive to immorality a!d $ote!tially more $re-'di#ial to the

$',li# i!tere"t tha! di""ol'tio! o( the marriage ,o!d)

Si!#e there i" !o a##e$ta,le way i! whi#h a "$o'"e #a! ,e #om$elled to re"'me li(e with the

#o!"ort+ !othi!g i" gai!ed ,y tryi!g to ee$ the $artie" tied (or ever to a marriage that i! (a#t

ha" #ea"ed to e*it) 0arriage i" li(elo!g #oha,itatio! i! the home) Whe! the $ro"$e#t o(

#o!ti!'i!g #oha,itatio! ha" #ea"ed+ the legal tie "ho'ld ,e di""olved)8/


16/22


the i!tere"t o( the $',li# to ee$ a ma! a!d woma! ,o'!d a" h'",a!d a!d wi(e i! law) I! the

eve!t o( "'#h a "e$aratio!+ the e""e!tial $'r$o"e o( marriage i" (r'"trated a!d it" ('rther

#o!ti!'a!#e i" !ot merely '"ele"" ,'t mi"#hievo'") Thi" (orm'latio! ha" ,e#ome a #la""i#

e!'!#iatio! o( the ,readow! $ri!#i$le i! matrimo!ial law)

The Law Commi""io! o,"erved that re"tri#ti!g divor#e to matrimo!ial di"a,ility re"'lt" i! a!

i!-'"ti#e i! #a"e" where !either $arty i" at (a'lt+ or i( the (a'lt i" o( "'#h a !at're that the

$artie" do !ot wi"h to div'lge it a!d yet the marriage #a!!ot ,e wored o't) It re(er" to a

"it'atio! where the emotio!al a!d other ,o!d"+ whi#h are the e""e!#e o( marriage+ have

di"a$$eared a!d o!ly a (aade remai!") The #ommi""io! #o!#l'de" that where a marriage ha"

#ea"ed to e*i"t ,oth i! "',"ta!#e a!d i! reality+ divor#e "ho'ld ,e "ee! a" a "ol'tio! a!d a!

e"#a$e ro'te o't o( a di((i#'lt "it'atio!) S'#h a divor#e "ho'ld ,e #o!#er!ed with ,ri!gi!g the

$artie" a!d the #hildre! to term" with the !ew "it'atio! a!d wori!g o't a "ati"(a#tory ,a"i"

(or reg'lati!g relatio!"hi$" i! the #ha!ged #ir#'m"ta!#e") Not to dwell o! the wro!g"J o( the

$a"t)85

Fa$lt T&eory V, .reak*ow" T&eory

I! mo"t o( the #a"e"+ the F'e"tio! #o!(ro!ted ,y the Ho!J,le S'$reme Co'rt i" "ho'ld divor#e

,e gra!ted "olely o! the ,a"i" o( who i" at (a'ltJ Or "ho'ld irretrieva,le ,readow!J o( a

marriage ,e #a'"e (or divor#e87

The Hi!d' 0arriage A#t gover!i!g marriage" ,etwee! Hi!d'"+ a!d the S$e#ial 0arriage A#t

gover!i!g marriage ,etwee! i!divid'al" regardle"" o( religio'" $er"'a"io!+ are $remi"ed o!

the (a'ltJ or matrimo!ial o((e!#eJ theory (or the $'r$o"e o( divor#e) Thi"+ i! e((e#t+ mea!"

that a $er"o! #a! ,e gra!ted a divor#e i(+ (or e*am$le+ it i" e"ta,li"hed that the "$o'"e ha"

#ommitted ad'ltery+ or ha" treated the $er"o! #r'elly or de"erted (or more tha! two year")

Th'" the $er"o! ha" ,ee! at (a'lt i! "ome way) I! additio!+ the wi(e #a! a" (or a divor#e o!

gro'!d" that a(ter marriage her h'",a!d wa" g'ilty o( ra$e+ "odomy or ,e"tiality)

6art o( the (a'lt theory i" that a $er"o! #a!!ot tae adva!tage o( hi"her ow! wro!g) 1ivor#e

#a! o!ly ,e "o'ght ,y the h'rt or aggrieved $arty who ha" ,ee! at the re#eivi!g e!d o( the

16 /1st Rert #* te Law =#mmissi#n, #>ernment #* In"ia, &.12B %ite" in

Ca>een K#li %ase.

1/ AIR 2006 .=. 16/5



17/22


other $artyJ" o((e!di!g #o!d'#t) There ha" ,ee! a! o!goi!g de,ate a,o't whether divor#e

"ho'ld ,e gra!ted "olely o! the ,a"i" o( the (a'lt o( the $arty or whether it "ho'ld ,e ,a"ed o!

the ,readow! o( marriage) O$i!io!" remai! divided amo!g "o#iologi"t"+ lawmaer"+

re(ormer" a!d eve! a#tivi"t" a!d (emi!i"t"

0arriage a" a "a#rame!t+ "o#ietyJ" "tae i! the #o!ti!'a!#e o( marriage+ the d'ty o( -'dge" to

e((e#t re#o!#iliatio! ,etwee! the $artie"+ a!d $',li# i!tere"t are "ome o( the ma-or (a#tor" that

(eat're i! thi" de,ate) Wo'ld i!trod'#i!g irretrieva,le ,readow! a" gro'!d" (or divor#e

wor agai!"t the i!tere"t" o( wome!+ give! the ge!der di"$aritie" a!d large !'m,er o( wome!

de"erted ,y their h'",a!d"89

1 tt&'((law%#mmissi#n#?n"ia.ni%.in(51100(Rert/1.&"* , A##e""ed o!


18/22


19/22


I! Vi"h!' 1'tt Sharma v) 0a!-' Sharma the S'$reme Co'rt made it #lear that a de#ree o(

divor#e ,etwee! the $artie" #a!!ot ,e gra!ted merely o! gro'!d o( marriage havi!g ,ee!

irretrieva,ly ,roe! dow! a!d Co'rt #a!!ot add a !ew gro'!d i! the e*i"ti!g li"t o( gro'!d"

a" availa,le i! Se#tio! 8= o( the Hi!d' 0arriage A#t 8;33 or a!y other Stat'te deali!g with

matrimo!ial remedie")

The (a#t" o( the #a"e i! ,rie( are a" (ollow"

The marriage too $la#e ,etwee! the a$$ella!t a!d the re"$o!de!t o!


20/22


6R!T!6!SM A7 6O6LUS!O

6ritici%m

The #o!#e$t o( irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage to ,e made a gro'!d (or divor#e '!der

the Hi!d' 0arriage A#t+ 8;33 ha" ,ee! altho'gh a lot more de,ated ,'t it ha" eF'ally ,ee!

#riti#iDed at vario'" $oi!t" ,y the "tate High #o'rt" a!d The @over!me!t o( I!dia) They #a!

,e "'mmariDed a" (ollow"4

6ritici%m )y t&e Hi:& 6o$rt High Co'rt ha" i! ma!y #a"e"+ e*$re""ed di"agreeme!t with

the "'gge"tio! that the Hi!d' 0arriage A#t+ 8;33 "ho'ld ,e ame!ded with a view to mai!g

irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriage a" a good gro'!d (or gra!t o( a de#ree o( divor#e)

The -'dge" o( the High Co'rt" have e*$re""ed them"elve" agai!"t the i!trod'#tio! o(

irretrieva,le ,readow! a" a gro'!d o( divor#e) O!e o( the $oi!t" made i! the re$ly o( the

High Co'rt i" that it i" e*tremely di((i#'lt to "ay that the h'",a!d a!d wi(e wo'ld !ever live

together merely ,e#a'"e there ha" ,ee! a ri(t ,etwee! them a!d (or the time ,ei!g it a$$ear"

that there may !ot ,e a!y $ro"$e#t o( their livi!g together)

The mere (a#t that there ha" ,ee! a ri(t ,etwee! the $artie" or that they are (or the time livi!g

a$art doe" !ot mea! that the marriage ha" #ome to a! e!d)

It i" $o""i,le that what may a$$ear to o!e $er"o! to ,e irretrieva,le may a$$ear to a!other a"

!ot yet ,eyo!d re$air) :'t "'#h a "tate o( thi!g" #a!!ot ,e allowed to #o!ti!'e i!de(i!itely+

a!d there m'"t arrive a $oi!t o( time whe! o!e o( the $artie" "ho'ld ,e $ermitted to "ee the

-'dgme!t o( the #o'rt a" to whether there i" or there i" !ot a $o""i,ility o( the marriage ,ei!g

retrieved)



21/22


6ritici%m )y t&e 8o'er"me"t 4The @over!me!t o( I!dia+ 0i!i"try o( Ed'#atio!+

1e$artme!t o( So#ial Wel(are+ ha" e*$re""ed the review that mai!g irretrieva,le ,readow!

o( marriage a gro'!d (or gra!t o( a de#ree o( divor#e i" red'!da!t i! the light o( the (a#t that

"'((i#ie!t gro'!d" #overi!g irretrieva,le ,readow! o( marriageJ e*i"t i! the Hi!d' 0arriage

A#t a!d the 0arriage Law" Ame!dme!t A#t+ 8;75+ (or the $'r$o"e o( "eei!g divor#ed)

Th'" we "ee that tho'gh a lot o( a'thoritie" have deli,erated '$o! the a"$e#t o( irretrieva,le

,readow! o( marriage a" a gro'!d (or divor#e there ha" al"o ,ee! a va"t ma-ority o(

a'thoritie" that have "ee! the draw,a#" ,ehi!d thi" #o!#e$t o( ,readow! theory a!d are !ot

i! (avo'r o( it" legi"lative ,irth a!d im$leme!tatio!)

6o"cl$%io"Th'" to #o!#l'de+ it #a! ,e "aid that marriage i" a! i!"tit'tio! i! the mai!te!a!#e o( whi#h

the $',li# at large i" dee$ly i!tere"ted) It i" the (o'!datio! o( the (amily a!d i! t'r! o( the

"o#iety witho't whi#h !o #ivili"atio! #a! e*i"t) Thi" (o'!datio! $re"'$$o"e" the e*i"te!#e o(

a $lat(orm ,'ild o! the ,a"i" o( "o'!d '!der"ta!di!g ,etwee! the "$o'"e") I( thi"

'!der"ta!di!g i" mi""i!g ,etwee! the "$o'"e" a!d the marriage i" a #o!ti!'o'" malady+ the!

it i" de"ira,le that the marriage "ho'ld ,e di""olve with the i!terve!tio! o( the #o'rt) There i"

!o '"e('l $'r$o"e "erved ,y #o!ti!'i!g "'#h a marriage) Th'"+ o! the ,a"i" o( irretrieva,le

,readow! theory "'#h marriage "ho'ld ,e di""olved (or the #ommo! ,etterme!t o( ,oth the

"$o'"e")

Thi" i" the rea"o! why the attit'de o( legi"lat're #ha!ged (rom the %g'ilt theory& to the

%divor#e ,y m't'al #o!"e!t& >the #o!"e!t theory?) There may ,e a #a"e where relatio! o( the

$artie" ha" ,roe! dow! irretrieva,ly a!d there i" !o #ha!#e o( re#o!#iliatio! a!d they are

al"o !ot ready (or divor#e ,y m't'al #o!"e!t) I! that eve!t'ality #o!ti!'i!g "'#h relatio! i"

('tile a!d a" $er Irretrieva,le :readow! o( 0arriage theory "'#h marriage "ho'ld ,e

di""olved) It i" high time that we a$$re#iate the !eed o( Irretrieva,le :readow! o( 0arriage

theory "o that "$o'"e" #a! have a !ew a!d ,etter li(e i!"tead o( wa"ti!g their %Yo'!g 1ay"&

i! #o'rt")



22/22


.!.L!O8RAPHY

STATUTES

0arriage 1ivor#e Law"

.OO-S

1r) 6ara" 1iwa!+ .amily Law+ 8Bth

Editio!+

Documents

Family Law - I Project