Under the Indian Divorce Act 1869, which earlier governed divorce among Indian Christians, women historically had to prove
AAdultery coupled with cruelty or desertion, an additional burden not imposed on men under the same Act — until the Indian Divorce (Amendment) Act 2001 brought parity
BOnly adultery on the part of the husband
CMutual consent only
DNothing — divorce was automatic
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Adultery coupled with cruelty or desertion, an additional burden not imposed on men under the same Act — until the Indian Divorce (Amendment) Act 2001 brought parity
The pre-2001 disparity required wives to prove adultery PLUS another aggravating ground (cruelty, desertion, bigamy). The 2001 Amendment brought gender parity. Pragati Varghese v Cyril George Varghese (1997, Bombay HC) had earlier struck down the discriminatory limb.
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