Best Divorce Lawyer in Delhi India .
In India, divorce is governed by various personal laws based on religion, as well as secular laws. The key aspects of divorce in India are as follows:
1. Legal Framework:
- Hindu Law: Governed by the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, applicable to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.
- Muslim Law: Based on the Sharia and codified under the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, with provisions for Talaq, Khula, and Faskh.
- Christian Law: Governed by the Indian Divorce Act, 1869, for Christians.
- Parsi Law: Governed by the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, for Parsis.
- Special Marriage Act, 1954: A secular law for interfaith marriages and those who do not wish to marry under religious laws.
2. Types of Divorce:
- Mutual Consent Divorce:
- Both parties agree to dissolve the marriage.
- Applicable under Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act.
- Requires a minimum separation period of 6 months to 1 year.
- Contested Divorce:
- One party files for divorce based on specific grounds such as:
- Adultery
- Cruelty (mental or physical)
- Desertion (at least 2 years)
- Conversion to another religion
- Mental disorder
- Communicable disease (e.g., leprosy)
- Presumption of death (7 years of absence)
- One party files for divorce based on specific grounds such as:
- Divorce under Muslim Law:
- Talaq: Initiated by the husband (Talaq-e-Sunnat, Talaq-e-Biddat).
- Khula: Initiated by the wife with the husband’s consent.
- Faskh: Court intervention based on grounds like cruelty, impotence, etc.
- The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 provides financial protection for divorced Muslim women.
3. Divorce Procedure:
- Filing a divorce petition in family court.
- Mediation efforts to reconcile.
- Submission of evidence and legal arguments.
- Court hearing and decision.
- Final decree of divorce if all conditions are met.
4. Key Considerations in Divorce Cases:
- Alimony/Maintenance: Financial support for the spouse and children under Section 125 CrPC, Hindu Marriage Act, and other laws.
- Child Custody: Decided based on the child’s welfare; joint or sole custody may be granted.
- Property Division: Generally based on ownership, with the wife entitled to residence rights.
- Cooling-off Period: Mandatory waiting period of 6 months in mutual consent divorce (can be waived under exceptional circumstances).
5. Recent Developments:
- Triple Talaq (instant divorce) was criminalized in 2019 under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act.
- Courts increasingly favor mediation and counseling to reduce litigation.

