An alcoholic husband is a nuisance but even his drinking habit, due to which he turns up at home late in the night, amounts to mental cruelty to the wife, noted the family court recently while allowing a woman’s divorce petition seeking separation from her husband on these grounds.

The couple, who got married in November 2005, have a daughter. The woman alleged that after marriage her husband “started showing his true colours” by coming home late every night in an inebriated condition. He also allegedly left his job and regularly demanded money from her for his needs and never contributed to the family expenses.

The woman also alleged that her husband had threatened to create a scene at her office if she refused to give him money, thus, making her life miserable and forcing her to take divorce.

The husband did not respond to the notice issued to him by the family court. Thus, the court proceeded on the basis that he didn’t want to file any reply to his wife’s petition.

After going through the arguments and evidence presented by the woman, the court noted, “The conduct of the respondent, ie consuming alcohol, coming home late at night, demanding money, not providing household expenses, clearly shows that he isn’t discharging his marital obligations. Such conduct is more than sufficient to constitute mental cruelty.”

The court, while handing over the daughter’s custody to the woman, observed, “Evidence shows the conduct of the respondent since the birth of the child till separation. He has nowhere shown his willingness to achieve the child’s welfare. On the contrary, he is a bad influence.”