The Kerala High Court has granted a divorce to a woman whose husband’s constant suspicion and control over her life were found to amount to serious mental cruelty.
A Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha set aside a Family Court order that had earlier dismissed the wife’s plea, holding that her evidence clearly proved the husband’s abusive and distrustful behavior.
Background
The couple married in January 2013 and had a daughter. The wife alleged that her husband, who worked abroad, was suspicious from the start — he doubted her fidelity, restricted her communication, locked her inside their home, and even allowed her to watch only devotional TV programs.
She further stated that he had assaulted her twice, and during her hospital stay for delivery, he created a scene and abused her parents.
The husband denied all accusations, calling them exaggerated and claiming normal marital disagreements.
Court’s Observations
The High Court found the wife’s testimony credible and observed that her ordeal reflected deep psychological suffering. It noted that a wife subjected to such behavior cannot always provide independent proof, and her consistent testimony must be given due weight.
The Bench powerfully remarked:
> “A suspicious husband can turn matrimonial life into a living hell. When a husband, without any reason, monitors his wife, questions her integrity, and invades her freedom, it causes immense mental agony.”
Referring to Supreme Court rulings like Raj Talreja v. Kavita Talreja and V. Bhagat v. D. Bhagat, the judges reaffirmed that cruelty includes behavior that makes it impossible for a spouse to live in peace and dignity.
Verdict
The Court concluded that the husband’s conduct caused “a reasonable apprehension” in the wife’s mind that living with him would be harmful. It therefore dissolved the marriage under Section 10(1)(x) of the Divorce Act, 1869, allowing the wife’s appeal and directing both parties to bear their own costs.
In essence, the judgment underscores that marriage thrives on trust, not surveillance — and suspicion without cause can destroy its very foundation.
