New Delhi: The Supreme Court has emphasized that marriage is fundamentally a relationship rooted in mutual trust, companionship, and shared experiences.
The remark came as the court upheld a Madras High Court ruling granting divorce to a software engineer couple who had been estranged for a prolonged period.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Justice PB Varale highlighted the significance of essential elements in a marital relationship, stating that their absence over an extended duration reduces the bond to a mere legal formality.
"The length of separation and the evident animosity between the husband and wife leave no room for the revival of their marriage," the bench observed, adding, "When mutual trust and companionship are missing, the essence of marriage is lost."
"Prolonging a dead marriage serves no interest and only perpetuates the agony of the parties involved", the Court observed quoting from Ashok Hurra vs. Rupa Bipin Zaveri and Shilpa Sailesh vs. Varun Sreenivasan.
"Forcing a marriage to continue when it has become a source of unhappiness and conflict undermines the very purpose of the institution of marriage. In the present case, the interests of both the parties are best served by allowing both parties to move on with their lives independently," the Court observed.
The verdict underscores the evolving perspective of courts in recognizing emotional and practical aspects of marriage over mere legal formalities.
