Restoration of conjugal rights

Dear Querist,

1. I Didn't quite understand what do you mean by divorce by restitution of conjugal rights. ??

2. RCR can be filed at three places as per S.19 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 - the place where the marriage was solemnised, where the parties last resided together, or where the wife lives. 

If any of the above places was in India, Indian Courts would have jurisdiction to decide the RCR Case. 

Bharat Chugh - Advocate Supreme Court of India

Divorce can be filed only on the grounds available under the Hindu Marriage Act, (I presume your cousin to be governed by Hindu Law) and restoration of conjugal rights does not count among one. A petition for restoration of conjugal rights is under Hindu Marriage Act an attempt to save the marriage by praying to the court for a decree directing the other spouse to resume cohabitation. On the other hand, a marriage can be dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction on the ground of cruelty, adultery, desertion, etc. Your cousin can file for divorce on any of these grounds.

If the marriage was solemnized in India or the couple last resided in india, jurisdiction for divorce will lie with the Indian courts even if the couple is domiciled in Australia.

Ashish Davessar

Advocate

Supreme Court of India

Punjab and Haryana High Court

perfectly advised by my lawyerfriends

Thanks so much for your respons. He is a Christian and married in India, so I'm not sure if its applicable under the Hindu Marriage Act. He and his wife live under the same roof as strangers. It was his lawyer who adviced to file for restoration of conjugal rights and wait for a year and later on file for divorce if there was no change in status. Later on he was told that he wouldnt be able to do so as both are living in the same house. Thats why I need clarification on this.