HMA S.13(1)(ia) – Cruelty – Denial of sexual relationship – Wilful denial of sexual relationship

2003 PLRonline 0009

MADRAS HIGH COURT

P. SATHASIVAM AND A.K. RAJAN, JJ.

S. Indrakumari v. S. Subbaiah

V.C.M.P. No.17356 of 2002

10th January, 2003

Hindu Marriage Act,  1955, S.13(1)(ia) – Cruelty – Denial of sexual relationship – Wilful denial of sexual relationship by one spouse, when the other spouse is anxious, amounts to cruelty – Decree of divorce confirmed. Held, refusal to have sexual intercourse amounts to cruelty on the other party. A normal and healthy sexual relationship is one of the basic ingredients of a happy and harmonious marriage. No doubt, if this is not possible due to ill-health on the part of one of the spouses, it may not amount to cruelty, depending on the circumstances of the case. But wilful denial of sexual relationship by a spouse, when the other spouse is anxious for it, would amount to mental cruelty, especially when the parties are young and newly married [Para 27]

Cases Cited:

1. R. Balasubramanian V. Vijayalakshmi Balasubramanian, II (1999) DMC 396 (SC) : VII (1999) SLT 19 : AIR 1999 SC 3070 [Para 20]
2. Vira Reddi V. Kistamma, AIR 1969 Mad. 235. [Para 20]
3. K. Narayanan V. Sreedevi, I (1989), AIR 1990 Ker. 151 [Para 20]
4. V. Bhagat V. Mrs. D. Bhagat, AIR 1994 SC 710 [Para 20]
5. Tamizh Selvi V. Arumugam, 1990 TLNJ 237 [Para 20]
6. Parveen Mehta V. Inderjit Mehta, IV (2002) SLT 381 : 2002(5) SCC 706 [Para 22]
7. Srikant V. Anuradha, AIR 1980 Kar. 8 [Para 24]
8. Anil Bhardwaj V. Smt. Nirmlesh Bhardwaj, AIR 1987 Del. 111 [Para 25]
9. Radheshyam Sharma V. Kusum Sharma, I (1990) DMC 290 [Para 26]

Petitioner Counsel: Mr. K. DORAISAMI, Sr. Adv. for Mr. K. N. NATARAJ
Respondent Counsel: Mr. T. R. RAJAGOPALAN, Sr. Adv, for Mr. N. DAMODARAN