Madras HC grants divorce citing mental cruelty beyond thali removal

The Madras High Court has granted a husband a divorce on grounds of mental cruelty. While the wife had removed her thali chain during their separation, the court clarified that this act alone is insufficient to constitute grounds for divorce. However, it was considered as supporting evidence alongside public accusations made by the wife and a prolonged period of separation between the couple. Together, these factors indicated an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The ruling underscores that courts must assess the broader context of a relationship rather than relying solely on symbolic gestures.