Orissa HC: Suicide threats deemed psychological abuse in marriage

The Orissa High Court has ruled that a woman's repeated threats of suicide and harm can be viewed as a form of psychological warfare against her husband. This ruling comes as the court upheld a family court's decision to dissolve a marriage that had lasted for 20 years. The justices noted that such threats go beyond personal conflicts and amount to harassment. They stated that this behavior prevents a spouse from living a peaceful and dignified life. The court emphasized that when threats of self-harm are combined with physical aggression and public humiliation, they can deeply damage the marital relationship. In their ruling, the judges stressed that marriage is a partnership founded on compassion and patience. They stated that constant threats of self-harm indicate a manipulative effort to control the other spouse, leading to fear and emotional distress. The couple, married since May 2003, experienced a troubled relationship. The husband claimed his wife pressured him to cut ties with his family and attempted to control finances. The wife, in turn, accused her husband of neglect and humiliation. In 2009, the husband sought a divorce, leading to a court decision in August 2023 that took into account numerous legal cases filed by the wife. The court found that these actions were not just legal rights but a means of harassment, thus supporting the divorce. The court awarded ₹63 lakh as alimony to the wife, who later sought to restore their marital rights through the high court.