The Madras High Court has ruled that the second wife of a retired government employee cannot claim his family pension. The court held the marriage was legally void, as it took place while the first wife was still alive.
The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that a second wife is eligible for compassionate appointment if nominated by her deceased husband in service records and is fully dependent on him, despite his first marriage not being legally dissolved. This decision emphasizes the significance of dependence and nomination over legal marital status complications.
The Allahabad High Court ruled that a complaint under IPC section 498A cannot be filed against a husband by a woman claiming to be his “second wife.” The court also clarified that the Dowry Prohibition Act can still apply in cases of dowry demand, even if the complaint under IPC section 498A is not maintainable due to the invalidity of the marriage.
