After 17 years apart, Telangana couple’s 20-year marriage dissolved by HC; ₹30 lakh alimony mandated

The court emphasised that the couple was “at loggerheads right from the inception of their marriage” and that the “marriage never took off”. “The marriage is virtually shattered and has become a dead wood. The allegations and counter allegations levelled against each other establish that there is no further chance of a rapprochement… Parties cannot at this stage reconcile themselves and live together forgetting their past as a bad dream,” it added.

The appeal was filed by the wife challenging the divorce granted to the husband on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. The couple, married in 2005, had been living separately since 2008, and have a 19-year-old daughter. The original petition for divorce was filed by the husband in 2010, and the family court granted the divorce in 2014 after concluding that the wife had “no intention to resume marital life”.

The husband, who works as an industrial manager, alleged that the wife insisted on living separately, abused him in front of his family, and restricted his visitation rights with their child. The court noted that the depositions of the husband’s witnesses revealed the wife’s persistent demands for separate residence, which “cannot be treated as bona fide”. Evidence presented also suggested that the husband had attempted to die by suicide due to mental disturbance caused by a marital meeting, which the court deemed a serious matter.

The wife countered with allegations of dowry harassment and a physical assault during the 2008 Deepavali festival, but the court found these claims “remains unsubstantiated” due to lack of credible, corroborative evidence and the failure to lodge a formal complaint.

Confirming the divorce, the court observed that the wife alone had brought up their daughter, who is now 19. Considering the husband’s employment status and age, the court directed the husband to pay Rs 30 lakh to the wife within three months. This amount is designated as the “full and final settlement” of all claims, including arrears of maintenance.

The court also dismissed pending applications by the wife seeking Rs 50 lakh for the daughter’s wedding expenses and additional monthly maintenance in light of this final settlement.