Can A Marriage Be Dissolved Without Mutual Consent In India?

In India, a marriage can be dissolved without mutual consent through a contested divorce. In such cases, one spouse files for divorce citing specific legal grounds as per the applicable personal laws, and the other spouse may or may not agree to the dissolution. The court evaluates the evidence and decides whether the grounds for divorce are valid.

Legal Grounds For Divorce Without Mutual Consent

• Cruelty: Physical or mental cruelty by one spouse can be a valid ground for divorce under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
• Adultery: Engaging in an extramarital affair is grounds for divorce under most personal laws in India.
• Desertion: Willful abandonment of the spouse for a continuous period of at least two years is a valid reason for filing a divorce petition without mutual consent.
• Mental Disorder: If one spouse suffers from a mental disorder that makes it impossible to continue the marriage, the other spouse can seek divorce.
• Conversion To Another Religion: If a spouse converts to another religion and the other partner objects, this can serve as grounds for divorce.
• Renunciation Of The World: If one spouse renounces the world and joins a religious order, the other spouse can file for divorce.
• Incurable Diseases: Certain personal laws recognize incurable diseases such as leprosy as grounds for divorce.

Steps Involved In A Contested Divorce

• Filing A Petition: The spouse seeking divorce must file a petition in the appropriate family court, stating the grounds for dissolution of marriage.
• Issuance Of Notice: The court serves a notice to the other spouse, who is given an opportunity to respond.
• Evidence And Arguments: Both parties present their evidence and arguments to substantiate their claims.
• Court Decision: The court examines the evidence and delivers its judgment, either granting or rejecting the divorce petition.

Relevant Legal Provisions

• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Governs divorce among Hindus, providing detailed grounds for dissolution of marriage without mutual consent.
• Special Marriage Act, 1954: Applies to civil and interfaith marriages.
• Muslim Personal Law: Provides for unilateral dissolution of marriage under specific conditions.

Example

If a wife files for divorce citing cruelty because her husband has subjected her to repeated instances of domestic violence, she would need to provide evidence such as medical records, police complaints, or witness testimonies. If the court is convinced, it can grant the divorce even if the husband does not consent to it.