Pune: In a rare legal decision, a Pune couple had their divorce approved within just 10 days, thanks to a family court ruling that waived the mandatory six-month waiting period.
Madhav and Madhavi (names changed), who had been living separately for 14 months due to ideological differences, filed for divorce by mutual consent on July 11, and the case was settled on June 21 by Judge K.A. Bagwe-Patil.
The swift judgment has saved both time and money for the couple, allowing them to move on with their lives independently. Both are highly educated professionals who had a love marriage on April 20, 2019.
However, after some initial years of harmony, disputes arose, leading to their separation on May 1, 2023.
Representing Madhavi were Adv. Nagesh Jadhav and Adv. Sumit Tarte, while Adv. Mangesh Kadam represented Madhav. Their mutual decision to part ways included an agreement that their three-year-old son would stay with his mother.
According to the Supreme Court's guidelines, the mandatory six-month waiting period for divorce by mutual consent can be waived if the couple has been living apart for a significant period before filing. This was a crucial factor in the swift resolution of this case.
Recently, a mutual consent divorce petition was swiftly resolved by the family court within five sessions over nearly two months. The husband had agreed to provide the marital home to his wife and paid a lump sum alimony, leading to the settlement of the case.
The couple had been living separately for over 18 months, and mediation attempts by family members were unsuccessful. With the conditions for divorce met, Family Court Chief Judge Manisha Kale promptly concluded the case.
The couple, both highly educated, faced ongoing disputes due to differences in opinions, personalities, and hobbies since their marriage in 1998.
