13B. Divorce By Mutual Consent

1. Subject to the provisions of this Act a petition for dissolution of marriage by a decree of divorce may be presented to the district court by both the parties to a marriage together, whether such marriage was solemnised before or after the commencement of the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976 (68 of 1976), on the ground that they have been living separately for a period of one year or more, that they have not been able to live together and that they have mutually agreed that the marriage should be dissolved.
   
   
2. On the motion of both the parties made not earlier than six months after the date of the presentation of the petition referred to in sub-section (1) and not later than eighteen months after the said date, if the petition is not withdrawn in the meantime, the court shall, on being satisfied, after hearing the parties and after making such inquiry as it thinks fit, that a marriage has been solemnized and that the averments in the petition are true, pass a decree of divorce declaring the marriage to be dissolved with effect from the date of the decree].

1. Amendment of provisions regarding mandatory period - No further relaxation given - Shows legislative intent not to liberalize law on this question:

The legislature, while introducing the Amending Act 1976, did take into consideration the following:

1. to liberalize the provisions relating to divorce
2. to enable expeditious disposal of proceedings under the Act and
3. to remove certain anomalies and handicaps in the existing law.

These ingredients are evident from the plain language of the section and do not leave any scope for ambiguity. Thus, it would not be necessary for the Court to expand its meaning and convert a mandatory provision into directory which may even result in defeating the object of the provision.

2. Arriving compromise—Competent at any stage of proceeding

When the law providing of this specific relief, specifies the Court and mode and provides specific circumstances, and conditions in which the specific relief, may be granted and specific jurisdiction may be exercised for then, on the satisfaction thereof only the decree can be passed or relief can be granted. A decree of divorce no doubt on mutual consent and filing Joint Petition is, provided for as a remedy, under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act.

The compromise otherwise than under Section 13B, so far is concerned is only one of reconciliation to be arrived at between the parties before the Main Petition is tried or ecree is passed for dissolution or judicial separation. If parties come to compromise or compromise to live together, that compromise even at the time decree is, passed or even it may be stage of appeal during the pendency of appeal, may be, entered also because power of Appellate Court are, same and subject to same conditions as, those of Original Court.

3. Conduct of Parties—Relevant to record finding of facts:

By looking to the conduct of the Wife—appellant herein, the court is of the considered view that the theory put forward wife—appellant herein that she was made to sign the joint petition under coercion and threat is a totally concocted story.

Therefore, the wife—appellant herein was not able to prove the fact that the husband-respondent herein had played fraud on her by obtaining the signature for divorce by mutual consent. No lady would give up the custody of the child and would also give up the right of maintenance.

This fact also would prove that her consent to the divorce petition was obtained by playing fraud or coercion or threat on her. This court is not in agreement with the submission made by the learned senior counsel because the Wife—appellant herein is an educated lady.

She is a graduate. She used to speak and write in English. She had all opportunities to complain to many people if at all the husband—respondent herein played fraud on her but she did not choose to do so.

This fact itself is sufficient to prove that on her own accord, she had agreed to sign the divorce petition as the husband—respondent herein used to give mental torture to her by demanding a dowry of ? 25 lakhs for doing business. Considering the facts on record, the court is convinced that the husband—respondent herein did not play any type of fraud in obtaining her consent for mutual divorce under Section 13(l2) of the Hindu Marriage Act.

4. Decree of Divorce by Mutual Consent:

A consent decree passed under Section 13-B of H.M Act, granting divorce by mutual consent of the spouses is entirely different from a consent decree passed by a Civil Court in non-matrimonial matters. A decree passed by the consent of spouses is to be distinguished from decrees passed in other matters by a Civil Court as there are several formalities and requirements, which are prescribed under Section 13—B of H. M. Act.

When there is violation of those requirements of law or there is allegation of fraud, undue influence, coercion, deception, deceit in passing a decree under Section 13—B of H. M. Act, an appeal can be made to the next Appellate Court. Further, Section 28(1) of H.M Act is very clear that all decrees including a consent decree passed under Section 13-B of H. M. Act is appealable.

5. Dissolution of Marriage - Mode of:

In the present case, husband and wife had no intention of not performing the matrimonial obligations at least for the first period of two months after the date of marriage when due to compulsions they decided not to live together. It was thus not open to the parties to agree to dissolve the ‘marriage without satisfying requirements of section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act.

If it was not possible for the parties to consent to dissolve the marriage unless statutory requirements were satisfied, it was not lawful for the court to dissolve the marriage even on consent of the parties.

Mutual Consent Divorce

• To File Mutual Consent Divorce in Delhi and NCR
  Contact Adv.Tapan Choudhury at Ph no: 9650499965 (Available in Whatsapp)
  
  
• To File Mutual Consent Divorce in Pune
  Contact NirDita Law Firm at Ph no: 8851978611 (Available in Whatsapp)