Meeting Ex-Spouse Not a Crime, But Wife's False Allegations Led to Divorce: Punjab-Haryana High Court

Chandigarh, 18 July — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has clarified that meeting a former spouse after marriage does not fall under the category of adultery. The court stated that such an act is not a crime. However, the court granted divorce in a case where the wife made false allegations against her family, considering it mental cruelty. The court said that if a spouse meets their former partner, it does not necessarily mean it is considered adultery. What is important is the purpose of such a meeting and its impact on married life. The court clarified that if such a meeting occurs after marriage and its purpose is not to re-establish a relationship, it cannot be considered adultery. In this case, the wife had alleged that her husband was meeting his former wife. The wife had also made false allegations against her family members. The court found that the wife's allegations were baseless and fabricated, which had a severe impact on the husband's mental health. The court ruled in favor of the husband, considering it mental cruelty, and granted divorce. The court stated in its order that meeting a former partner after marriage is not adultery, but making baseless allegations against family members can be harmful to married life. The court said that making such allegations leads to a lack of trust in marital relationships and has an adverse impact on married life.