Dear All,
I am a 40 year old Indian army officer. I was married 15 years ago. I have two children, both in school. My family is staying with me. My wife constantly nags me, abuses me and harasses me in front of my children, my orderlies and maid servants. She abuses my dead parents and younger siblings who are married and do not stay with me, in front of my children. She also abuses my elder son and he becomes violent with her. She knows that I am at a senior position in the army and the army does not like its officers to have cases of marital discord at the senior level. She therefore blackmails me and constantly keeps me under pressure. She refuses to accompany me on social functions by making excuses. Constantly taunts me by saying let me see how you achieve senior ranks? She says," If I want I can complain to anyone and you will lose all your reputation and hard work. They will believe me since I am a housewife and a woman."
My children are constantly subjected to her vituperative outbursts and abuses. They are also fed up of both of us. It is not a healthy atmosphere for my children to grow. I have tried to reason with her, taken her for counselling, put her on medication, but to no avail.
She has no inlaws to live with or contend with. She does not want to leave me as she says, where will I enjoy all these perks and good life? I simply want to regain my peace of mind. I am willing to give her anything she wants. If only she could let peace prevail in the house. I have tolerated this for years because may be I was emotionally weak and ambitious on my career front. Now in my mid life I am realising that life is more than just a career. I long for peace and serenity and do not want to die of humiliation or a heart attack. I have no intention of marrying again or depriving my children from what is due to them.
My father-in-law knows a lot of senior officers in my profession and has threatened me with dire consequences including cases of dowry harassment if I try to legally separate from my wife.
I am fine with a legal separation or a judicial agreement even, if not a divorce. Can somebody advice me on the following:-
How do I go about it?
Where do I file for it?
What kind of evidence do I need to gather?
How much time is it likely to take?
We were married in Delhi but I keep getting transferred every two years. At present I am in Chattisgarh. Thanks
.