Filing False Cases Against Spouse is Mental Cruelty, Rules Madras High Court

In a recent ruling, the Madras High Court held that making false criminal allegations against a spouse amounts to mental cruelty and can be a valid ground for divorce.

The case involved a husband who claimed that his wife had filed false complaints and made serious allegations, causing him mental distress and damaging his reputation. While the Family Court had earlier refused divorce, the High Court disagreed.

It observed that misusing criminal law to harass a spouse goes beyond normal marital disputes.

The Court clarified that even if the couple briefly lived together later, such acts of cruelty are not erased, and granted divorce.

[Muthukumar v. Karpagavalli]