Telangana High Court Upholds Family Court's Decision in High-Profile Divorce Case

Allegations of Cruelty and Desertion Dismissed Due to Lack of Evidence; Couple Continues to Reside Together

In a significant judgment delivered on November 20, 2025, the Telangana High Court upheld the Family Court's decision to dismiss the divorce petition filed by Rayala Seshu Laxmi against her husband, Rayala Vishnu Murthy. The appeal, filed in the Family Court Appeal No. 74 of 2015, was dismissed by a division bench comprising Justices K. Lakshman and Vakiti Ramakrishna Reddy, reinforcing the necessity of concrete evidence in cases of marital discord.

The appellant, Rayala Seshu Laxmi, had sought dissolution of her marriage on grounds of cruelty and desertion under Sections 13(1)(ia) and (ib) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. However, the court found that the allegations were not substantiated with sufficient evidence. The couple, married since 1986, has two adult sons and continues to live together, managing a joint business venture.

The court emphasized that allegations of cruelty and desertion require substantial evidence, both oral and documentary, to warrant dissolution of marriage. In this case, the appellant's claims were primarily uncorroborated. The court noted that minor marital disagreements do not constitute cruelty, and the ongoing cohabitation and joint business operations of the couple further negated the claims of desertion.

During the proceedings, the court interacted with both parties, who confirmed their current cohabitation and business partnership. The court observed that the marriage did not show signs of an irretrievable breakdown, an essential consideration for granting a divorce.

The appellant's inability to provide evidence, such as witness testimonies or documents, was crucial in the court's decision to dismiss the appeal. Justice K. Lakshman highlighted that mere allegations without substantiation cannot form the basis for dissolving a marriage.

The judgment underscores the importance of evidence in matrimonial disputes and reinforces the judiciary's role in safeguarding the sanctity of marriage while ensuring justice is served. This decision serves as a reminder of the legal obligations of parties in matrimonial cases to substantiate their claims with credible evidence.

Bottom Line:

Allegations of cruelty and desertion must be pleaded and proved with relevant evidence both oral and documentary. Mere allegations without substantiation cannot be grounds for dissolution of marriage.

Statutory provision(s): Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 Sections 13(1)(ia), 13(1)(ib)

Rayala Seshu Laxmi v. Rayala Vishnu Murthy, (Telangana)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2811697