Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka 2025 case gained attention due to the Supreme Court decision to grant a divorce based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The case highlighted the approach of the Court to address long-term separation and the welfare of children. It also brought attention to the issue of custody and visitation rights particularly the challenges faced by a parent with professional and caregiving duties and set an important precedent for future cases involving similar circumstances. Discover more in-depth analyses of important Supreme Court decisions by exploring Recent Judgements of Supreme Court.

Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka 2025 Introduction

The case of Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka 2025 gained attention due to its focus on the legal complexities surrounding the dissolution of marriage based on irretrievable breakdown. The case was also marked by the involvement of two minor children, one of whom had cerebral palsy, and the Supreme Court's exercise of its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure justice.

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The case at hand centres around a matrimonial dispute wherein the Appellant i.e., the husband sought dissolution of marriage under Sections 13(1)(ia) and (iii) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and alleged cruelty and mental disorder on the part of the Respondent i.e., the wife. The matter arose from concurrent findings by the Family Court and the High Court, both of which dismissed the plea of the Appellant for divorce. The Appellant filed an appeal before the Supreme Court. The following are the facts of Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka -

Marriage and Children

The marriage between the Appellant and the Respondent marked the beginning of their family life. The key facts related to their marriage and children include:

• The Appellant (husband) and the Respondent (wife) solemnized their marriage on 24th November, 2012.
• The couple had two children:
  • The first child, a daughter, was born on 17th August, 2013.
  • The Respondent gave birth to the second child on 30th November, 2014, who was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Filing of Divorce Petition

The Appellant initiated legal proceedings for the dissolution of marriage by filing a petition in the Family Court. The details are as follows:

• The Appellant filed a divorce petition under Sections 13(1)(ia) and (iii) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 on 6th March, 2014, before the Family Court, Ranchi.
• At the time of filing the petition, the Respondent was pregnant with their second child.

Respondent and Appellant Counter-Allegations

During the course of their troubled marriage, both the Appellant and Respondent made serious counter-allegations against each other which became central to the divorce proceedings. The following claims were raised by each party:

• The Respondent alleged that the Appellant and his parents subjected her to mental and physical cruelty.
• She invoked Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
• The Appellant contended that the Respondent regularly verbally abused him and his family, amounting to cruelty.

Decision of the Family Court

The Family Court thoroughly examined the claims made by both parties before delivering its verdict. On 2nd July 2019, the Family Court, Ranchi dismissed the petition of the Appellant and rejected the grounds of cruelty and mental disorder.

High Court Proceedings and Appeal in Supreme Court

The case underwent scrutiny at both the Family Court and the High Court levels before reaching the Supreme Court. The following is a brief account of the proceedings and the appeal:

• The Appellant challenged the decision of the Family Court by filing an appeal before the High Court of Jharkhand.
• On 28th June, 2023, the High Court upheld the decision of the Family Court.
• The Court noted that since the couple continued to cohabit till March 2014 and the second child was born later that year, the allegations of cruelty prior to March 2014 were unconvincing.
• Aggrieved with the judgments of both the Family Court and the High Court, the Appellant approached the Supreme Court.

Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka 2025 Legal Issues

The following issues were also addressed in Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka 2025:

• The main issue in this case was whether the marriage between the Appellant and Respondent had irretrievably broken down, thereby justifying dissolution under Article 142 of the Constitution of India even though such a ground is not expressly available under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955?
• The Supreme Court examined whether prolonged separation and absence of cohabitation could amount to mental cruelty and supported a divorce petition under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955?

• The Court in Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka analysed whether the mental condition or behaviour of either spouse warranted dissolution of marriage?
• Lastly, the Court also determined whether the failure of the Respondent to claim custody or visitation rights over the elder daughter could be held against her or impact her right to maintain a relationship with the child?

Section 13 of Hindu Marriage Act, Article 142 of Indian Constitution, Section 498A of Indian Penal Code and Section 3 and Section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act played an important role in Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka 2025. The following are analysis of these provisions:

• Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: It provides for divorce on the ground of cruelty including both physical and mental cruelty inflicted by one spouse on the other.
• Section 13(1)(iii) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: It allows for divorce where one spouse is suffering from a mental disorder of such a kind and to such an extent that the petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to live with the respondent.
• Article 142 of the Constitution of India: It empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or make any order necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.

In Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka, the Supreme Court exercised its extraordinary constitutional powers to dissolve the marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown.

• Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 498A (Now Section 85 and Section 86 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) relates to cruelty by husband or relatives of husband, invoked by the respondent in criminal proceedings alleging cruelty.

• Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

Section 3 and Section 4 of the Act deal with penalties for giving, taking or demanding dowry, also cited by the respondent in the criminal complaint.

Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka 2025 Judgment and Impact

In the case of Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka, decided on 22nd April 2025, a 3-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Mehta acknowledged the issue of irretrievable breakdown of marriage and the welfare of the child born from the wedlock. After hearing both parties and examining the facts of the case, the Supreme Court passed the following directions:

• The Appellant appeared via video conferencing and Respondent was present in person.
• The Appellant sought divorce citing irretrievable breakdown of marriage over 11 years of separation and lack of reconciliation.
• Two children were born from the marriage:
  • The elder daughter (now 12 years old) has been in the exclusive custody of the Appellant since infancy.
  • The second child, diagnosed with cerebral palsy remained with the Respondent until the child’s death.
• The Respondent explained her inability to seek custody or visitation of the elder daughter due to:
  • Her full-time care of the second child.
  • Her professional duties as a government employee in Bihar.
  • Limited time, resources and emotional strength.
• The Supreme Court observed that in Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka:
  • The marriage had irreversibly broken down.
  • The couple had lived separately for over a decade.
  • There was no mutual intent to reconcile.
• The Court exercised the powers under Article 142 of the Constitution and
  • Dissolved the marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown.
  • Allowed the appeal in favor of the Appellant.
• Visitation rights were granted to the Respondent:
  • She may visit her daughter twice a month at the residence of the Appellant
  • Visitation dates to be mutually decided
  • Appellant to bear reasonable visitation expenses
• The Supreme Court explained that this arrangement:
  • Does not determine custody
  • Both parties may approach the appropriate court for future custody-related matters.
• Thus, all pending applications were disposed of in Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka.

Conclusion

In Ramanuj Kumar vs Priyanka 2025 the Supreme Court decision on 22nd April, 2025, reflects the progressive approach of the Judiciary to matrimonial disputes especially in cases where reconciliation is no longer possible. The Court not only dissolved the marriage but also ensured that the respondent retained visitation rights to preserve the mother-daughter bond.