The Delhi High Court Today (April 2nd) granted divorce to celebrity chef Kunal Kapur, on the ground of cruelty meted out to him by his estranged wife, saying the woman’s conduct towards him was devoid of dignity and empathy.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has extended judicial empathy to celebrity chef Kunal Kapur by granting him a divorce, citing the adverse treatment he received from his wife as a compelling reason. This decision emerges against the backdrop of allegations of cruelty that Kapur endured, characterized by a lack of dignity and empathy from his estranged partner. This judgment underscores the legal recognition of personal dignity and mutual respect as foundational elements of marriage.
The bench, comprising Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Neena Bansal Krishna, overturned a previous decision by a family court that had denied Kapur’s request for divorce. Highlighting a principle well-established in law, the court emphasized that
“making reckless, defamatory, humiliating and unsubstantiated allegations against a spouse in public amounts to cruelty.”
The court detailed its observations by stating,
“In the light of the aforenoted facts of the present case, we find that the conduct of the respondent (wife) towards the appellant (husband) has been such that it is devoid of dignity and empathy towards him. When such is the nature of one spouse towards the other, it brings disgrace to the very essence of marriage and there exists no possible reason as to why he should be compelled to live while enduring the agony of living together.”
This reflection brings to light the detrimental impact such behavior can have on the sanctity of marriage.
The marriage, which began in April 2008 and was blessed with the birth of a son in 2012, faced turbulence as Kapur alleged his wife’s disrespect towards his parents and humiliation directed at him. Counter to Kapur’s accusations, his wife charged him with concocting false allegations to sway the court’s opinion. She insisted on her loyalty and efforts to maintain a loving relationship, despite Kapur allegedly keeping her uninformed and fabricating stories to secure a divorce.
The court also touched upon the inherent challenges within marital relationships but pointed out that when disagreements evolve into disrespect and inconsideration, it corrodes the marital bond. It also recognized Kapur’s professional achievements, stating,
“It is relevant to mention here that within two years of marriage, the appellant has established himself as a celebrity chef, which is a reflection of his hard work and determination….”
The court concluded that the allegations from Kapur’s wife were unfounded attempts to tarnish his reputation, thereby constituting cruelty. This decision reiterates the judiciary’s stance on protecting individuals’ rights to dignity and respect within the framework of marriage, marking a significant consideration in matrimonial disputes.
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