Pune, April 22 (Representative) : A husband, who suffered prolonged mental harassment after discovering his wife’s concealed past, has finally received justice. The Family Court in Pune granted a divorce in his favor after it was proven that the wife had deliberately hidden her previous marriage before entering into the second one.
Disputes Began Soon After Marriage
Gitesh Umakant Kulkarni and Ankita Kulkarni alias Ankita Kalamankar were married on June 7, 2015, in Kalaburagi, Karnataka. However, within a few days of the marriage, the husband alleged a drastic change in his wife’s behavior. He informed the court that she frequently engaged in arguments, made allegations against him and his family, and issued threats of suicide, creating a tense and distressing environment at home.
Allegations of Financial Pressure
The husband also claimed that his wife pressured him financially and attempted to force him to sell his father’s property. Due to continuous mental stress and harassment, he stated that the marital relationship had become unbearable.
Concealment of First Marriage Became Key Issue
The most crucial aspect of the case was that the wife had intentionally concealed her previous marriage and subsequent divorce. Evidence presented before the court clearly established that she had been married earlier. The court treated this concealment as a serious act of fraud.
Court’s Strong Observations and Verdict
Advocate Snehal Niranjan Vaidya, representing the husband, presented strong arguments supported by evidence and witness testimonies. After considering all aspects, the court observed that the wife’s conduct amounted to cruelty, and her repeated threats and behavior constituted mental harassment.
The court further held that hiding a prior marriage was a grave act of deception. Accordingly, under the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the court allowed the husband’s petition and granted a decree of divorce, effectively dissolving the marriage. No legal costs were imposed on either party.
Significant Legal Precedent
This judgment is being seen as an important development in matrimonial law, particularly concerning issues of fraud and mental cruelty. Legal experts believe it could serve as a guiding precedent in similar cases in the future.
