G S DHANAMANI Vs. G V BENERJEE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is a case in which the petitioner, G. S. Dhanamani, prays for the dissolution of her marriage with the respondent, G. V. Benerjee, on the grounds of cruelty and bestiality, under S.10 of the Divorce Act, hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'. The respondent, in his counter-affidavit, stated that he has no objection for divorce subject to the condition that the petitioner gives up all her rights in his properties and also the right of maintenance against him. The respondent did not also examine himself as a witness during the course of the trial. On the evidence of the petitioner, the learned 3rd Addl. District Judge, Visakhapatnam found that the respondent was guilty of bestiality and, therefore, the petitioner was entitled to a decree of divorce. Accordingly, he granted a decree as prayed for by the petitioner subject to confirmation by the High Court.

(2.) IN this reference for confirmation, the learned Counsel for the respondent submits that both the parties are not Christians, that the respondent is a Hindu and that, therefore, the petition under S.10 of the Act for dissolution of marriage was not maintainable. We see no substance in the contention of the learned counsel for the respondent in view of the express provision enacted in S.2 of the Act on the applicability of the Act. S.2 clearly lays down that the provisions of the Act are attracted even if one of the parties professes Christian religion. There is no dispute that the petitioner professes Christian religion. Therefore, the Court has jurisdiction under S.10 of the Act to grant a decree for dissolution of the marriage. This view of ours is supported by the decision of a Special Bench of the Madras High Court in Sasivarnam v. S. Gnanasundari, AIR 1954 Mad 1018, wherein Satyanarayana Rao, J. speaking for the Bench, observed.