Categories: States High court

Kerala HC: It Is Not Necessary For Husband And Wife to Live Separately For A Year of Divorce

In a landmark judgement, the Kerala High Court on Friday has struck down Section 10A of the Divorce Act, 1869, which mandated the husband and wife to live separately for at least one year before applying for divorce by mutual consent. The court says that waiting for one year to file a petition for divorce by mutual consent is a violation of the fundamental right. Along with this, the court declared this section (Section 10A of the Divorce Act, 1869) unconstitutional.

Division Bench of Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen in its judgement said  “the Legislature had imposed such a period in its wisdom, in order to act as a safeguard against impulsive decisions that may be taken by parties to separate and rid themselves of the marriage.  This period will insulate possible peril that may ensue for the parties as a follow-up of the decision for mutual separation.”
 
“In the Indian social context, though marriages are solemnized by two individuals, it is seen more as a union for laying the foundation for a strong family and society. Many laws have been made and many rights have been created based on familial relationships,” the court ruled.
  
The Kerala high court was hearing a petition against the Family Court, Ernakulam in which court had dismissed the joint petition filed by both which was within one year after the marriage as stipulated under Section 10A of the Act.
  

The Kerala High Court also directed to the Family Court to dispose of the case within 2 weeks and also grant a decree of divorce without insisting on the further presence of parties.

Ashish Sinha

-Ashish Kumar Sinha -Editor Legally Speaking -Ram Nath Goenka awardee - 14 Years of Experience in Media - Covering Courts Since 2008

Recent Posts

Punjab & Haryana HC Notice To Jindal Law School Over AI-Generated Exam Claims

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday has issued a notice to Jindal Global…

9 hours ago

ED Files Money Laundering Complaint Against Charanjit Singh Bajaj, 4 Others

The ED on Tuesday has filed a Prosecution Complaint before the Special Court in Mohali…

9 hours ago

Pune Porsche Case: SC Rejects Anticipatory Bail To Father Of Minor Driver’s Friend

The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied bail to Arunkumar Devnath Singh, whose son is a…

10 hours ago

SC Dumps Plea Against Quashing LOC For Sushant Singh Rajput’s Ex-House Help

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the Centre's appeal against a Bombay High Court order…

11 hours ago

Rape Case: SC Issues Notice On Ex-Army Officer’s Plea For Quashing Charge sheet

The Supreme Court on Tuesday has agreed to review a plea from retired Army Captain…

11 hours ago

Chhattisgarh NAN Scam: FIR Against 2 Retired IAS Officers, Former AG

The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau on Tuesday has registered a case against 2 retired IAS officers…

12 hours ago