Hindu Marriage Act, Section -13

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Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, came into force on 18th of May, 1955. It has amended and codified the law relating to marriage solemnized between two Hindus. Section 10 of Hindu Marriage Act provides for judicial separation. It provides that either party to a marriage can file a petition before the Court for such a relief.


Void Marriage
In Case of Void Marriage As noticed earlier, section 5 of Hindu Marriage Act provides that for a valid marriage, following three conditions must be fulfilled:
(1) neither party has a spouse living at the time of the marriage;

(2) the parties are not within the degrees of prohibited relationship, unless the custom or usage governing each of them permits of a marriage between the two;

(3) the parties are not sapindas of each other, unless the custom or usage governing each of them permits of a marriage between the two.

Non-fulfillment of anyone of the aforesaid conditions renders a marriage null and void. Section 11 provides that such marriage shall be null and void.

However, any party can obtain decree of nullity of marriage from the Court.

In Case of Voidable Marriages
Section 5 of the Act provides that at the time of marriage, neither party-
(a) is incapable of giving a valid consent to it in consequence of unsoundness of mind; or

(b) though capable of giving a valid consent, has been suffering from mental disorder of such a kind or to such an extent as to be unfit for marriage and the procreation of children; or

(c) has been subject to recurrent attacks of insanity.

ection 12 of Hindu Marriage Act, provides for a decree of nullity of marriage, which is voidable, on any of the following grounds:
(a) that the marriage has not been consummated owing to the impotence of the respondent. A party is impotent if his or her mental or physical condition makes consummation of marriage a practical impossibility.

(b) that the marriage is in contravention of the conditions specified in clause (ii) of section 5, i.e., at the time of the marriage, any party was incapable of giving a valid consent to it in consequence of unsoundness of mind, or if even capable of giving a valid consent, such party has been suffering from mental disorder .of such a kind or to such an extent as to be unfit for marriage and the procreation of children; or the other party has been subject to recurrent attacks of insanity.

(c) that the consent of the petitioner, or where the consent of the guardian in marriage of the petitioner was required under section 5 as it stood immediately before the commencement of the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 1978 (2 of 1978), the consent of such guardian was obtained by force or by fraud as to the nature of the ceremony or as to any material fact or circumstance concerning the respondent; or

(d) that the respondent was at the time of the marriage pregnant by some person other than the petitioner.

However, it is significant to note that no such petition for annulling a marriage on the ground specified in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 12 i.e., on the ground of consent by force or fraud, shall be entertained if the petition is presented more than one year after the force had ceased to operate or, as the case may be, the fraud had been discovered. Therefore, where your consent in the marriage is obtained by fraud, you have to file petition for annulment of marriage within one year from the time when the fraud is discovered.

Also remember that no such petition shall lie before the Court, in case you continued to live with the other party to the marriage as husband or wife, even after the force ceased to operate or the fraud was discovered.

In case of petition for annulment of marriage on the ground that at the time of marriage, the other party was pregnant by some other person, the court is to be satisfied that you were ignorant of this fact at the time of marriage. Furthermore, petition on this ground has to be filed within one year from the date of the marriage. Also remember, that in case of a petition on this ground, marital intercourse with the consent of the petitioner should not have taken place ever since the discovery of the fact that the other party was pregnant by some other person.




Matrimonial laws in India:
Procedure followed in Matrimonial Petitions
Section 21 of Hindu Marriage Act provides that all proceedings under this Act shall be regulated as far as may be, by Code of Civil Procedure.

Restitution of Conjugal Rights
A husband has the right to require his wife to live with him wherever he may choose to reside. On the other hand, it is corresponding duty of the wife to live with her husband

What should an Aggrieved Person do in case of Domestic Violence
If you, being the aggrieved person, have reason to believe that an act of domestic violence has been committed or is being committed or is likely to be committed, you may give information about it to the concerned Protection Officer.

Maintenance and Residence of Female Child
Under the Hindu Marriage Act, there is provision for permanent alimony or allowance. Under section 4 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, in case of annulment of a child marriage

Hindu Marriage Act
Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, came into force on 18th of May, 1955. It has amended and codified the law relating to marriage solemnized between two Hindus.

How Can A Hindu Marry from other Religion
Marriage between two persons, who are not Hindus, it would be a case of special marriage. In this regard, reference may be made to provisions of Special Marriage Act (43 of 1954)

Judicial Separation
Section 10 of Hindu Marriage Act provides for judicial separation. It provides that either party to a marriage can file a petition before the Court for such a relief.

Maintenance for wife, children and parents - Section 125 CrPC
When any person neglects or refuses to maintain, his wife, children or parents, than they can claim maintenance by filing an application before the Magistrate under Section 125 CrPC

Maintenance Pendente Lite and Expenses of Proceedings
Under Hindu Marriage Act where in any proceeding under this Act it appears to the Court that either the wife or the husband has no independent income sufficient for her or his support, Court may order for payment of monthly maintenance to the petitioner by the respondent.