Family, Marriage & Divorce

In VA Anand v State Information Commission & Others, the Madras High Court pointed out that the wife was not a third party and during the pendency of matrimonial proceedings, she was entitled to receive information relating to salary of her husband.

A wife, who contributed to the acquisition of family assets by performing the household chores, thereby releasing their husbands for gainful employment, would be entitled to a share in the properties, as she had indirectly contributed to its purchase, says the High Court of Madras in Kannaian Naidu & Others v Kamsala Ammal & Others.

A person professing Christian religion can get a divorce under the Divorce Act, 1869. The act is applicable if one of the parties to the marriage is a Christian and the marriage can be dissolved by passing a decree by the court under the Act.

An unmarried daughter, who attained majority, can claim maintenance from her father of mother if she is unable to maintain herself out of her earnings or other property, under Section 23 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (HAMA).

Muslim personal law recognises divorce as a lawful way to end a marriage, but it is considered the last resort and should be considered only after making attempts for reconciliation. Divorce can be initiated by either the husband or the wife, but there are specific rules and procedures that need to be followed depending on the circumstances, such as the type of divorce being sought, the waiting period (iddah) for the wife, and the division of property and assets.

A motion made by a party for an early hearing or time-bound disposal of a case or cases for any justifiable or valid reason has to be dealt with appropriately by the Family Court, by passing an order for early hearing or time-bound disposal of that case or cases.

Marriage of a Muslim girl can be contracted when she attains puberty under the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. The Section 2 of the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) defines any girl below the age of 18 as a child. The Section 3 of the act states that a marriage involving a child is voidable and can be made void by filing a petition at her option within two years after she becomes a major. If the girl does not file a petition for a decree of nullity, her marriage will remain legally valid.

Live-in-relationship is an arrangement in which an unmarried heterosexual couple lives together in a long-time relationship that resembles a marriage. It is nothing but cohabitation. The concept of live-in-relationship is increasingly emerging as a viable alternative to marriage in cities and urban areas. No marriage law recognises live-in-relationship. Therefore live-in-relationship is not a legally valid form of marriage. It is an informal marriage. If has no legally recognised marriage ceremony. It is a relationship in the nature of marriage.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (DV Act) provides a range of remedies in the civil law, to protect women from domestic violence and prevent its occurrence in future. The orders under the act are in the civil nature. But if the orders are neglected or violated by the defendant, such violation will turn into a criminal offence.

he marriages in Kerala are governed by personal laws such as Hindu, Christian, and Muslim marriage laws. but the registration of such marriages is governed by common rules: The Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008. It was the Supreme Court which in Seema v Aswani Kumar [2006 (1) KLT 791 (SC)] issued direction to all state Governments to formulate Rules for compulsory registration of marriages, irrespective of religion of the parties.