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Health
Supreme Court rules mental illness not a ground for divorce, refusal of treatment not automatically cruelty
✍️ Live Law
🗓 11 Nov 2026, 09:48 AM
👁 10
The Supreme Court held that mental illness alone cannot justify divorce and that a spouse's refusal to undergo treatment does not automatically amount to cruelty under Indian marriage law.
A bench of the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment clarifying the legal stance on mental illness in marital disputes. The court observed that under the Hindu Marriage Act, a partner's mental illness by itself does not constitute a valid ground for divorce.
The judgment further stated that a spouse's refusal to undergo medical treatment cannot be automatically labeled as cruelty, which is a recognized ground for divorce. Instead, the court emphasized the need for concrete medical evidence and a case-by-case assessment to determine whether cruelty exists.
Legal experts noted that the ruling aims to protect the rights of persons with mental health conditions while ensuring that genuine cases of abuse are not overlooked. The decision is expected to guide lower courts in handling similar family law petitions across the country.
The judgment further stated that a spouse's refusal to undergo medical treatment cannot be automatically labeled as cruelty, which is a recognized ground for divorce. Instead, the court emphasized the need for concrete medical evidence and a case-by-case assessment to determine whether cruelty exists.
Legal experts noted that the ruling aims to protect the rights of persons with mental health conditions while ensuring that genuine cases of abuse are not overlooked. The decision is expected to guide lower courts in handling similar family law petitions across the country.