Mere Allegations Without Documents or Witnesses Insufficient for Divorce: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court Division Bench refused to grant divorce to a husband on the ground of mental cruelty, holding that mere allegations unsupported by independent witnesses or documentary evidence are insufficient to dissolve a marriage.

The Court observed that claims of harassment, abusive behaviour, and mental agony must be substantiated through reliable material evidence rather than vague assertions.

It noted that the husband failed to produce corroborative documents, medical records, complaints, or testimony from independent witnesses supporting his allegations against the wife.

Stressing that matrimonial disputes require careful judicial scrutiny, the Bench held that cruelty cannot be presumed solely on the basis of unverified accusations.

[Sudha v. Rajsakar Nelli]