Kerala High Court Upholds Divorce Over Husband’s Excessive Spirituality

The Kerala High Court upheld a divorce granted to a woman whose husband was excessively focused on spirituality and showed no interest in marital life

The court ruled that compelling a spouse to adopt one's religious practices amounts to mental cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

The wife alleged that her husband avoided intimacy, neglected marital responsibilities, and forced her to participate in frequent temple visits.

The Court found her claims credible and dismissed the husband's appeal, stating that the marriage had irretrievably broken down due to persistent neglect and emotional abuse.