Is Adultery a Ground for Divorce in India?


Posted July 17, 2023 by vrassociateslawfirm

Being a divorce lawyer in Gurgaon, many clients ask this question to Advocate Vipin Raina. According to Vipin Raina, senior divorce lawyer from Gurugram, adultery is defined in Indian Penal Code 1860.

 
Being a divorce lawyer in Gurgaon, many clients ask this question to Advocate Vipin Raina. According to Vipin Raina, senior divorce lawyer from Gurugram, adultery is defined in Indian Penal Code 1860. Therefore, under section 497 if a man has sexual intercourse with a person who is the wife of another man, without the consent and knowledge of that man, falls under adultery. Most of the personal laws consider adultery a valid reason for separation.

The two bases of adultery

● Sexual intercourse outside marriage
● The act must be voluntary

There is quite a disparity in judgements on adultery. For instance, in one case the court stated that circumstances should be so compelling that can prove adultery. However, in another case, Madras High Court said that if an unknown person is found with another person’s wife after midnight, it can be a base for adultery under law. Therefore, it is important to note that the responsibility of proof submission that whether the act of adultery happened or not lies on the petitioner only.

Hindu Laws on Adultery

Initially, adultery was only considered immoral but it had no legal standing for divorce. However, post amendment in the Marriage Act, 1976 any aggrieved party gets the right to file a petition for divorce or judicial separation by choice under the said act. Section 13(1) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, defines adultery as a ground for divorce in India. As per the law, the petitioner needs to prove that he/she is married to the respondent, and the respondent made voluntary sexual intercourse with another person. Court states that the spouse that made the allegation has the responsibility to submit a suitable proof in the court of the law.

Muslim Laws on Adultery

The Quran states adultery is a punishable act that is to be punished by stoning to death. But India follows the Constitution of India, so stoning to death is not allowed here. So, if a Muslim husband alleges his wife for adultery and fails to prove this in court. Then he will have to ask for forgiveness in a proper manner. And whether the wife wishes to pursue for divorce or wishes to drop divorce case, lies fully on the wife.

Conclusion

There is no clarity on adultery. Court of law considers each case with its circumstantial evidence. Therefore, partners whose case has an adultery base for separation or divorce, they need to hire a good divorce lawyer. Only an expert and experienced lawyer can deal with technicalities well.

Your search for an experienced divorce lawyer in India ends at VR Associates Law Firm. They are the best divorce lawyers in Delhi. Their past proven record, and success rate stands them alone in the crowd.

Author Bio:-
VR Associates Law Firm is regarded as the top firm for divorce lawyers and criminal Advocates in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR.
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Issued By VR Associates Law Firm
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Business Address C-416 FF Sushant Lok-1 Gurgaon, Sector 43 - 122009 (HR)
Country India
Categories Legal
Tags divorce in india , divorce lawyer in india , nri lawyer in india
Last Updated July 17, 2023