Madras High Court: False Sexual Assault Allegations Against Husband, In-Laws Amount to Cruelty

The Madras High Court has held that making unsubstantiated allegations of sexual assault against a husband and father-in-law constitutes cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act and constitutes a valid ground for granting divorce. 

The Court observed that such baseless accusations, without supporting evidence, can irreparably damage the reputation and dignity of the accused and amount to mental cruelty justifying divorce.

The bench emphasized that while genuine complaints must be protected, false or reckless charges undermine the sanctity of marriage and are actionable. (V. Rajesh v. S. Anupriya)