Restitution of conjugal rights
Full Text
When either the husband or the wife has, without reasonable excuse, withdrawn from the society of the other, the aggrieved party may apply, by petition to the district court, for restitution of conjugal rights and the court, on being satisfied of the truth of the statements made in such petition and that there is no legal ground why the application should not be granted, may decree restitution of conjugal rights accordingly.
Explanation.—Where a question arises whether there has been reasonable excuse for withdrawal from the society, the burden of proving reasonable excuse shall be on the person who has withdrawn from the society.
Plain English Summary
Enables an aggrieved spouse to petition the district court for restitution of conjugal rights when the other spouse withdraws from society without reasonable excuse, placing the burden of proof on the withdrawing spouse.
Key Legal Elements
- Withdrawal from the society of the spouse by either the husband or the wife
- Withdrawal must be without any reasonable excuse
- Burden of proving reasonable excuse lies squarely on the spouse who withdrew from society
- Court must be satisfied with the bona fides and absence of any legal bar before granting a decree
Practical Note
Often filed strategically by a spouse to demonstrate willingness to cohabit or defend against future desertion/maintenance claims. If non-cohabitation continues for one year or more after an RCR decree, it becomes a ground for divorce under Section 13(1A)(ii).
हिंदी पाठ
जब पति या पत्नी में से किसी ने भी, किसी युक्तियुक्त प्रतिहेतु के बिना, दूसरे के संसर्ग से अपने को अलग कर लिया हो, तब व्यथित पक्षकार दाम्पत्य अधिकारों के प्रत्यास्थापन के लिए जिला न्यायालय में अर्जी द्वारा आवेदन कर सकेगा और न्यायालय ऐसी अर्जी में किए गए कथनों की सत्यता के संबंध में तथा इस बात से संतुष्ट होने पर कि आवेदन मंजूर न किए जाने का कोई विधिक आधार नहीं है, तद्नुसार दाम्पत्य अधिकारों के प्रत्यास्थापन की डिक्री दे सकेगा।
स्पष्टीकरण.—जहां यह प्रश्न उठता है कि क्या संसर्ग से अलग होने का कोई युक्तियुक्त प्रतिहेतु था, वहां युक्तियुक्त प्रतिहेतु को साबित करने का भार उस व्यक्ति पर होगा जो संसर्ग से अलग हुआ है।