Woman divorces hubby over in-law's inter-caste marriage in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court served notice to a woman who obtained a divorce through a family court primarily citing cruelty because her husband's sister had married outside their caste and this information was hidden from her.

The couple got married in 2018, as stated by the husband's legal representative. The wife left her marital home merely two days after learning that her sister-in-law had married into another community which she considered lower in the caste hierarchy.

In 2020, the wife filed for divorce in Bhavnagar family court claiming cruelty. She alleged that her husband had concealed information about his sister's inter-caste marriage. While he mentioned having two sisters, he failed to disclose a third sister who had married outside their caste. She met this third sister only during the wedding. Additionally, she claimed her husband filed a police complaint alleging threats to his life from her family and mailed it to her workplace.

The husband responded by filing a suit requesting restoration of conjugal rights. On Sept 30, 2024, Bhavnagar family court dismissed his plea while granting the wife's divorce request. The man contested the decision in the HC. Following the notice issued to the woman, the HC has scheduled a joint hearing of both appeals on Jan 20.