Section 9 Of Hindu Marriage Act

Introduction

Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 deals with the restitution of conjugal rights. It states that if one spouse has withdrawn from the society of the other without any reasonable excuse, the aggrieved party can file a petition in a district court for the restitution of conjugal rights. The court, if satisfied that there is no legal ground for the withdrawal and that the petitioner is not in any way at fault, may pass a decree for the restitution of conjugal rights, which would require the other spouse to return to the matrimonial home and resume cohabitation.

The concept of restitution of conjugal rights in India has its origins in the traditional Hindu law, which recognized the importance of maintaining the sanctity of marriage and preserving the unity of the family. Under traditional Hindu law, a wife was obligated to live with her husband and perform her duties as a wife, and if she refused to do so without any just cause, the husband could seek a judicial separation.

The concept was codified in the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 which was one of the first legislation in India to provide for the restitution of conjugal rights. The provision in Section 9 of the Act allows a spouse to seek a court order requiring the other spouse to resume cohabitation and fulfil their marital obligations. Over the years, the provision has been widely criticized for being patriarchal and violative of individual rights and autonomy. It has been argued that the provision places undue pressure on the wife to return to a potentially abusive or unhappy marriage, and that it undermines the individual's right to privacy and autonomy.

In recent years, the provision has been interpreted by the courts in a more liberal manner, and the courts have emphasized the need for reconciliation and counselling before passing a decree for the restitution of conjugal rights. However, the provision remains a contentious issue and its continued inclusion in the Act has been the subject of debate and calls for reform.

Merits of Section 9 of Hindu Marriage Act

The provision for restitution of conjugal rights in the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 is intended to protect the sanctity of marriage and preserve the unity of the family. Some of the advantages of this provision include:

• Encouraging reconciliation: The provision allows for a court-ordered reconciliation between the estranged spouses, which can help to mend the relationship and save the marriage.
• Preserving the institution of marriage: The provision helps to uphold the traditional values of marriage and the importance of maintaining the unity of the family.
• Protecting the rights of the aggrieved spouse: The provision allows the aggrieved spouse to seek redress in case of desertion or abandonment by the other spouse, and ensures that they are not left without any means of support.
• Providing a legal remedy: The provision provides a legal remedy for the aggrieved spouse in case of marital breakdown, which can help to resolve disputes and bring closure to the matter.

Drawbacks of Section 9 of Hindu Marriage Act

The provision for restitution of conjugal rights in the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 has been widely criticized for its potential negative effects on individuals and families. Some of the disadvantages of this provision include:

• Infringing on individual autonomy: The provision places undue pressure on the spouse to return to a potentially abusive or unhappy marriage, and undermines the individual's right to privacy and autonomy.
• Encouraging forced cohabitation: The provision allows for a court-ordered reconciliation between the estranged spouses, which can lead to forced cohabitation and perpetuate an unhealthy or abusive relationship.
• Lack of consideration of domestic violence: The provision does not take into account the possibility of domestic violence or abuse, and may force a victim to return to an unsafe living situation.
• Ignoring the reasons for the breakdown of the marriage: The provision focuses on restoring the conjugal relationship without addressing the underlying issues that led to the breakdown of the marriage, which can lead to a repeat of the same problems.
• Encouraging the use of the provision for ulterior motives: The provision can be misused by one of the spouses for their own gain, and can be used as a tool for harassment.

Landmark cases of restitution of conjugal rights

There have been several landmark cases in India dealing with the restitution of conjugal rights and interpreting the provision in Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Some of the notable cases include:

• Sowmithri Vishnu v. Union of India, (1985) Supp SCC 137: In this case, the Supreme Court of India held that the provision for restitution of conjugal rights in Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 must be read in conjunction with the other provisions of the Act and the Constitution of India, which guarantee the right to life and liberty and the protection against discrimination. The court emphasized that the provision for restitution of conjugal rights must be invoked only as a last resort, after all other means of reconciliation have failed, and that the court should take into account the reasons for the withdrawal from the society of the other spouse and the welfare of the parties and any children before passing a decree. The court also held that a decree for restitution of conjugal rights can be passed only if the court is satisfied that the withdrawal from the society of the other spouse is without any reasonable excuse and that the petitioner is not in any way at fault.
• This judgment was considered as a progressive step towards a more liberal interpretation of the provision for restitution of conjugal rights and it was recognized that the provision must be used only as a last resort, after all other means of reconciliation have failed.
• Rajesh Sharma v. Union of India, (2010) 1 SCC 749: In this case, the Supreme Court of India held that the provision for restitution of conjugal rights should not be invoked as a matter of right, but only as a last resort after all other means of reconciliation have failed.
• Ashok Hurra v. Rupa Ashok Hurra, (2002) 3 SCC 80: In this case, the Supreme Court of India held that the provision for restitution of conjugal rights can be invoked only if the withdrawal from the society of the other spouse is without any reasonable excuse, and that the court must take into account the reasons for the withdrawal and the welfare of the parties and any children before passing a decree.
• Krishna Kumar v. Sarla Verma, (2013) 1 SCC 454: In this case, the Supreme Court of India held that a decree for restitution of conjugal rights should not be passed as a matter of course, but only after considering all relevant factors, including the reasons for the withdrawal from the society of the other spouse, the length of time that has elapsed since the withdrawal, and the prospects of reconciliation.
• Rajesh Sharma v. State of UP, (2016) 10 SCC 754: In this case, the Supreme Court of India held that a decree for restitution of conjugal rights can be passed only if the court is satisfied that the withdrawal from the society of the other spouse is without any reasonable excuse and that the petitioner is not in any way at fault.

Conclusion

People have a divisive stand on the issue according to some of them they argue that this provision has been misused by some individuals to force their spouse to return to the matrimonial home, even in cases where the spouse has left due to domestic violence or other valid reasons. It has been criticized as it goes against the principle of personal liberty and autonomy, and it puts pressure on the woman to return to an abusive situation.

 On the other hand some of the people state that Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 is important as it provides a legal remedy for one spouse who has been abandoned or left without reasonable cause by the other spouse. It allows the aggrieved party to apply to the court for an order to bring the other spouse back to the matrimonial home, and can be seen as a way to preserve and restore the marital relationship. This section is also important in the context of the traditional societal expectations and cultural norms of India, where marriage is considered a sacrament and the continuation of the marriage is viewed as a duty for both parties.

The provision should be used judiciously and in good faith, and not as a tool for coercion or control in a marriage. It is also should be used with consideration of the current circumstances and any evidence of abuse, neglect or other factors that may be affecting the marriage.