PREETHA P.V. Vs. ANOOP V.V.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These appeals arise out of matrimonial issues between a couple and are heard and decided together. Mat.Appeal No. 694/2012 has been filed by the wife challenging judgment dated 11/9/2012 in O.P.No.206/2009. By the impugned judgment, the Family Court granted divorce on the ground of cruelty. Learned counsel for the appellant while impugning the aforesaid judgment contended that cruelty alleged by the petitioner had not been proved and therefore, the Family Court was not justified in granting divorce on the ground of cruelty.

(2.) We heard the learned counsel for the respondent/petitioner who supported the judgment of the Family Court. The facts involved in the case would disclose that the couple got married on 6/2/1996 as per Hindu religious rites and ceremonies and two children were born in the wedlock. The allegations raised by the petitioner is that though initially they had a very happy and cordial family life, after some time, his wife started showing dissatisfaction and hatred towards him. She was a person of suspicious nature and she doubted him in every aspect. He was a Counsellor by profession and several persons used to come and meet him. With reference to females who used to come for counselling, she suspected that they were having extra-marital relationship with him. Finally they started living in two separate rooms in the same building from 2005 onwards. Thereafter, she used to quarrel with him and his age old mother and she used filthy language against him in front of their children. She left the company of the petitioner after some time and she completely deserted him from January, 2007. She filed a a case for maintenance and also a criminal case u/s 498A of I.P.C . She even made publicity of the strained matrimonial relationship by calling press conferences and the same had appeared in newspapers as well.

(3.) Respondent denied the allegations. According to her, petitioner was having illegal relationship with one Sreeja and according to her, she had become pregnant and the matter was settled by paying money. Even after marriage, he continued the extra-marital relationship. She made counter allegation against him stating that he was behaving in a cruel manner against the respondent.