A Gujarat man has approached the High Court seeking divorce, alleging his wife’s obsession with stray dogs caused cruelty in marriage, claiming she forced him to share their bed with the animals and endure repeated attacks.
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AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court will on December 1, 2025, hear a rather unusual divorce case, a man’s plea seeking dissolution of marriage because his “dominant” wife allegedly brought stray dogs into their apartment and forced him to sleep with them in the same bed.
The Christian couple, who met in 2001 and married in 2006, have been entangled in a long legal battle that began over a decade ago. While the husband has cited several instances of cruelty and humiliation, his primary grievance revolves around his wife’s “excessive attachment” to stray dogs, an obsession he claims destroyed their marital harmony.
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Background of the Case
According to the husband’s plea, the marriage began to sour when the wife brought home a stray dog despite clear objections from their residential welfare association. He alleged that the dog created safety and hygiene issues and that monetary constraints made it difficult to keep the pet.
However, the wife allegedly continued to bring more dogs into their home. The situation worsened when other residents complained of dog bites and unhygienic conditions, leading to police summons and social ostracization.
The husband claims the wife not only forced him to feed and clean the dogs but also allowed them to sleep on their bed. One of the dogs, he alleged, would bite him if he tried to sleep next to his wife. He described the experience as “mentally and physically torturous.”
In another bizarre twist, the husband has also cited an April Fool’s prank as a ground for divorce. According to his petition, his wife arranged a prank call on a radio show, accusing him of having an extramarital affair. The husband said he was humiliated and ridiculed in front of his friends and colleagues after the broadcast.
He further claimed that the mental stress from his wife’s actions led to health issues, including diabetes and other complications, eventually forcing him to leave their matrimonial home in 2011.
Legal Journey
The husband first filed for divorce in Bengaluru in 2012, but the case was returned in 2016 due to jurisdictional issues. He then refiled the plea in Ahmedabad, where the family court dismissed it in February 2024, stating that he failed to prove that his wife’s actions constituted cruelty or were intended to harass him.
The Gujarat High Court, in March 2024, admitted his appeal and issued a notice to the wife. On November 11, 2025, a Division Bench comprising Justice Sangeeta K. Vishen and Justice Nisha M. Thakore encouraged both parties to explore a possible settlement.
During the recent hearing, the husband’s counsel informed the court that the wife was demanding ₹2 crore as a settlement, while he was only willing to offer ₹15 lakh, citing his job profile and financial condition.
The wife’s counsel, however, argued that the husband had failed to prove any cruelty and that, considering his family’s assets and income, he could afford a “reasonable” amount of compensation.
Wife’s Response
The wife has denied all allegations, asserting that she never picked up stray dogs. In fact, she claimed it was the husband who worked with a trust that cared for stray animals and that he himself brought the dogs home.
She admitted to organizing the radio prank but maintained that it was harmless and did not defame him. She also denied any role in his health issues.
Appearance:
The husband: Advocates Bhargav Hasurkar and Vishwajitsinh Jadeja
The wife: Advocate NV Gandhi
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