There are various issues that may lead to a number of problems between the married couple. The Hindu Marriage Act has laid down a number of reasons based on which you can file for a divorce.
Adultery:When your spouse is involved in any kind of sexual relationship outside your marriage. It is a criminal offence and you need to have a proof of it.
Cruelty: If your spouse is causing you any kind of mental or physical injury that is in the form of -
Torture
Danger to life or health
Not providing you with food or other basic facilities
Desertion: If your spouse has left you and has not returned for 2 years.
Renunciation– If your spouse has given up all worldly affairs by adopting a particular religious order.
Not Heard Alive– If you or your family members have not heard from your spouse or your spouse has been missing for a period of 7 years, he/she shall be presumed to be dead.
Conversion: If your spouse converts or adopts a different religion.
Disease: You can file a divorce, if your spouse is suffering from any of the following health conditions:
Mental Disorder: If your spouse is suffering from a mental disability that cannot be treated or cured and is unable to live as a couple.
Leprosy: If your spouse is suffering from leprosy that is an incurable and life threatening disease.
Venereal Disease– If your spouse is suffering from a serious disease that is easily communicable like AIDS or HIV.
Reasons on which only the wife can file for a divorce:
If your husband is involved in rape, bestiality and sodomy.
If your husband marries again without a divorce from his first wife or when his first wife is still alive.
If you were married before the age of fifteen and are not willing to continue with the marriage when you attain 18 years of age.
If the you and your husband are not living together for one year and your husband neglects the court’s direction of giving you maintenance, you can contest for a divorce.
You cannot claim divorce on the basis of the following reasons:
Educational qualification.
Appearance of the person for e.g. weight, height.
Non-fulfilment of any amount of money or any property to be given as a gift.
Lacking the ability to do a particular activity for e.g. cooking, painting etc.