Divorce and Concealment
The High Court's decision stemmed from a case in Gumla, where the Family Court had previously granted a divorce. The husband alleged his wife had concealed
her actual age and a life sentence for murder. Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai, who comprised the division bench, reviewed the case and found the Family Court’s findings were without fault and didn't necessitate their interference. The wife’s appeal was dismissed, and all connected applications were resolved. The court's judgment underscored that the wife’s actions, specifically concealing information before marriage, resulted in significant mental distress for the husband, rendering a shared life nearly impossible due to the broken trust. The marriage had been solemnized on April 15, 2019, but disputes arose soon after, leading the husband to seek divorce.
Hidden Facts Unveiled
The husband brought forward claims that his wife had hidden critical facts. Initially, her age was stated as 27, but he discovered she was around 40. Furthermore, he learned after the marriage that she had been convicted in a 2006 murder case. The court emphasized that the wife's deception regarding her age and criminal history was a key factor in its ruling. The bench noted that such concealment caused mental agony, which is why it was almost impossible for them to continue their marriage. The husband also mentioned the absence of a normal conjugal relationship and threats from his wife against him and his family. The wife, however, disputed these claims, asserting that she had disclosed all the relevant details before the marriage and that she wanted to salvage their relationship. The court, however, sided with the husband.
Trust's Crucial Role
The court underscored that trust forms the bedrock of a marital relationship. It highlighted how marriage is built upon mutual trust, companionship, and shared experiences. The judgment emphasized that when trust is broken, it's nearly impossible to rebuild. This ruling by the Jharkhand High Court reaffirmed the significance of honesty and respect within a marriage. It affirmed the earlier decision to dissolve the marriage because a spouse should not be forced to stay in a marriage based on concealed information. The court examined the evidence and concluded that the Family Court was right in deciding that the wife’s actions caused mental distress to the husband. The Family Court reached its decision after thorough review of oral and documentary evidence presented in the case, thus affirming the decision to dissolve the marriage.
