Patna High Court Upholds Divorce Order Over 18-Year Marital Separation, Citing Mental Cruelty

In a recent ruling, the Patna High Court upheld a divorce decree issued by the Bhojpur Family Court, citing prolonged marital separation as mental cruelty. The original order had granted divorce to a woman who had lived apart from her husband for nearly two decades. The High Court noted that such a long period of separation can amount to psychological abuse, affecting the spouse’s mental well‑being. The decision underscores the judiciary’s willingness to consider extended separation as a valid ground for divorce and may influence similar cases across the state.