Supreme Court On Divorce 6-month Waiting Period

The Supreme Court today ruled it can dissolve a marriage on the ground of "irretrievable breakdown" by exercising a special power. Using the power, the court can grant a divorce by mutual consent while dispensing with the six-month waiting period.

The original issue referred to the Constitution Bench was whether the mandatory waiting period for divorce by mutual consent as prescribed under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act could be waived.

The Supreme Court today ruled it can dissolve a marriage on the ground of "irretrievable breakdown" by exercising a special power. Using the power, the court can grant a divorce by mutual consent while dispensing with the six-month waiting period.

The original issue referred to the Constitution Bench was whether the mandatory waiting period for divorce by mutual consent as prescribed under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act could be waived.