ALIKA KHOSLA Vs. THOMAS MATHEW

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner's wife has filed the present Matrimonial petition for dissolution of the marriage with respondent No. I on ground of cruelty and adultery under Section 10 of the Indian Divorce Act.

(2.) The petitioner, who was a hindu by birth got converted into Christianity prior to marriage to the respondent No. 1 on 29-12-1985 through a Church ceremony. There are two children a daughter aged 8 years named Divya and a son named George aged 6 years born of the marriage. The allegation in the petition is that the petitioner was forced to leave matrimonial home in Cochin, due to cruel and inhuman behavior of the respondent No.1 husband, who was at that time posted as Collector in Cochin. The respondent No.l is an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service and is presently posted as Private Secretary to the Cabinet Minister for Industries Mr. K. Karunakaran. The altegation in the petition is that respondent No.1 was having and still continues to have an adulterous relationship with respondent No.2, Mrs. Padamja Venugopal, who is daughter of Mr. K. Karunakaran.

(3.) The respondent No.l has filed his detailed reply to the petition ;for dissolution of marriage denying the allegations, accusing the petitioner of immoral behavior and adultery, neglect of children and cruelty to respondent No.l. The respondent No.l alongwith the reply has filed detailed transcripts of tape recorded conversations alleged to be between the petitioner and her mother as well as between' the respondent No.l and one Mr. Jose Thomas, who is alleged to be the paramour of the petitioner.