Lagatar24 Desk
Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a wife’s consumption of alcohol cannot be considered cruelty unless it leads to inappropriate or abusive behavior. The court emphasized that drinking alone does not justify divorce unless it is accompanied by misbehavior or uncivil conduct.
The court acknowledged that while alcohol consumption is still largely frowned upon in middle-class families and is not considered part of cultural norms, it cannot be a standalone reason for divorce.
One-Sided Decision in Favor of Husband
In a one-sided ruling, the High Court allowed the husband’s plea for divorce, citing the wife’s continuous disregard for court instructions and her failure to present her side of the case despite repeated notices.
The case dates back to 2015, when the couple got married. According to the husband, his wife’s behavior changed after marriage. She allegedly pressured him to leave his parents and move to Kolkata. Eventually, the wife moved to Kolkata with their minor son and did not return despite the husband’s repeated requests.
Lower Court’s Decision Overturned
The husband initially filed for divorce in a Lucknow court, which rejected his petition. The lower court ruled that the wife’s alcohol consumption did not amount to cruelty and that, since the couple had not been separated for more than two years, there were no sufficient grounds for divorce.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the husband appealed to the Allahabad High Court. While the High Court upheld the view that drinking alcohol alone does not constitute cruelty, it granted the divorce based on the wife’s failure to comply with court directives and her absence from court proceedings.
