Supreme Court Criticizes Judicial System for Injudicious Divorce Decrees

A woman fought a prolonged legal battle against repeated divorce decrees granted to her estranged husband by a family court. The Supreme Court criticized the judicial system's handling of the case, highlighting the husband's failure to support his wife and child. The apex court enhanced the alimony and issued strict directives to the husband.

A woman engaged in a prolonged legal fight over repeated divorce decrees granted to her estranged husband has compelled the Supreme Court to label the judicial system as 'grossly injudicious.' Married in 1991 and deserted a year later, her husband repeatedly obtained divorce decrees from a Karnataka family court, failing to provide financial support for her or their minor child.

Despite multiple orders from the high court to reconsider the husband's petition, the family court consistently ruled in his favor. The third instance saw the high court uphold the divorce contingent on a Rs 20 lakh alimony payment, though this amount was subsequently increased by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court decried the family court's lack of sensitivity and possible bias, citing decades of cruelty towards the woman and her child. The apex court enhanced the alimony by Rs 10 lakh and protected the woman's residence, underscoring the son's rights to maintenance. Non-compliance by the husband will render the divorce decree null and void.

(With inputs from agencies.)