In Brief
The Supreme Court dissolved a marriage that had irretrievably broken down, even though statutory grounds for divorce were not strictly proven. The appellant and respondent, both district judges, had lived separately for 17 years since 2000 due to matrimonial discord. While the trial court and High Court had dismissed the divorce application, finding the cruelty allegations unproven, the Supreme Court exercised its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant divorce. The Court found the marriage totally unworkable, emotionally dead, and beyond salvage, with no prospect of reconciliation. The respondent's consistent refusal to participate in proceedings was treated as constructive mental cruelty, justifying intervention in the interests of justice.
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