Quick Summary: In a complicated divorce case, the Madras High Court agreed with the decision to grant a divorce based on claims of cruelty, while stressing the importance of setting up proper support for the child.
Sravani Chithra and S. Gopalakrishnan, both doctors, got married in 2015 in Chennai after dating for three years. They started having problems soon after, leading Gopalakrishnan to ask for a divorce in 2020, saying that she treated him badly.
Husband's Claims: - S. Gopalakrishnan said that Sravani Chithra made him live with her parents and treated him disrespectfully. - He said she threatened to kill herself and was verbally abusive. - He also questioned if he was the father of their child, who was conceived through IVF, and asked for a DNA test.
Wife's Defense: - Sravani Chithra argued that S. Gopalakrishnan had agreed to her studying in Delhi and supported the IVF process. - She accused him of asking for money from her family and ignoring her during her pregnancy. - She denied all claims of treating him badly and said he left her.
Family Court Decision: - The Family Court granted the divorce because of the mental pain caused to S. Gopalakrishnan.
High Court Appeal: - Sravani Chithra appealed, saying that the Family Court ignored evidence and didn't think about their child's well-being. - The High Court agreed with the divorce but criticized the Family Court for not making sure there were plans for child support.
"The child has a right to be maintained at a standard that is consistent with the parent's social and economic status."
The High Court ordered S. Gopalakrishnan to: - Put ₹60 lakhs in a bank for the child's future. - Pay ₹40,000 every month for the child's expenses. - Have the right to visit the child twice a month.
The court decided to uphold the divorce due to the cruelty claims but stressed that both parents have to make sure their child is taken care of, regardless of their personal issues.
