‘Son’s duty towards parents’: Chhattisgarh HC grants divorce to man over wife’s refusal to live with them

 The Chhattisgarh High Court granted divorce to a man, ruling that his wife's refusal to live with his parents amounted to mental cruelty.

The HC, according to a Times of India report, observed that it is not customary in India for sons to abandon their parents at the wife's behest.

Prashant married Isha in June 2017. Soon after, Isha insisted on living separately, saying she was uncomfortable with rural life and wanted to focus on her career. Despite Prashant’s efforts to make things work, including renting a separate home in Raipur, she remained distant and disrespectful. Eventually, she left without explanation, prompting Prashant to file for divorce, citing mental cruelty.

A trial court in Raipur had dismissed Prashant’s plea, stating he had not provided enough proof. He then took the case to the High Court, arguing that Isha’s refusal to stay with his family, her unexplained absences, and her behaviour caused him emotional distress.

The High Court overturned the earlier decision and ruled in Prashant’s favour stating that forcing a husband to separate from his parents without a valid reason was an act of cruelty 

The court noted that Isha’s actions, including leaving without informing Prashant and changing the locks of their home, showed a lack of commitment to the marriage.

While Isha had said she wanted to continue the marriage, the court observed that her actions told a different story. Her unwillingness to adapt to her husband’s family and lifestyle played a key role in the verdict.

The High Court granted the divorce and ordered Prashant to pay Rs 5 lakh as permanent alimony to Isha within two months.