The Bombay High Court has ruled that if a spouse threatens or tries to commit suicide, it can be considered cruelty and a valid reason for divorce. Justice R M Joshi of the Aurangabad bench upheld a family court's decision to end a couple's marriage.

The case was filed by a woman who challenged the family court's order. Her husband had claimed that his wife threatened to commit suicide and sent him and his family to jail. He argued that this amounts to cruelty under the Hindu Marriage Act and sought a divorce.

The High Court reviewed the evidence from the husband and other witnesses and agreed that the claim of cruelty was proven.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that a spouse attempting or threatening suicide amounts to cruelty and is a valid ground for divorce. The court noted that the wife not only threatened to take her own life to pressure her husband and his family but also attempted suicide once. Refusing to cancel the family court's order granting divorce, the bench stated that there was no need to interfere in the decision.

Case background

The case involved a couple who got married in April 2009 and have a daughter. The husband claimed that his in-laws frequently interfered in their married life and that in 2010, his wife left their home to live with her parents, refusing to return. He alleged that she threatened to commit suicide and even attempted it once to manipulate him. Also, he accused her of threatening to file false cases against him and his family. The wife, however, denied these claims and stated that she left because she was abused by her husband and father-in-law.

After reviewing the evidence, the High Court upheld the divorce ruling, stating that the husband's claims of cruelty were proven.

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