Sensitise people on pre-marital counselling: HC to Centre, TN

Bs_logoImage
Press Trust of India Chennai
Last Updated : Aug 08 2016 | 10:57 PM IST
The Madras High Court today advised the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government to sensitise people on the importance of pre-marital counselling while annulling a couple's marriage in which the groom had suppressed from the bride's family that he suffered from ailments, including cancer.
Justice N Kirubakaran declared the marriage null and void on the ground of fraud by the groom in suppressing cancer and a hole in his heart even before marriage.
He underscored the importance of pre-marriage counselling to avoid such situations.
"It is appropriate for the central and state government to sensitise the people about the importance of pre-marital counselling at least, if not premarital examination," the judge said.
He said benefits of such counselling by medical experts should be disseminated to the people through advertisements in the media, short movies and by holding seminars in colleges, but wondered if that would be done.
Noting that under normal circumstances, the court would not have straightaway declared the marriage void, he said, "Technicalities are the handmaid of justice."
Justice Kirubakaran said transferring the proceedings to the trial court to face trial for many years and then to superior courts, would only cause grave injustice.
While the woman had sought divorce, the man had filed a plea for clubbing his restitution of conjugal rights petition along with the divorce petition.
The judge dismissed the man's plea and declared the marriage void.
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories

  • Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 08 2016 | 10:57 PM IST