• A) Suits for Nullity (Section 20): If consummation of the marriage is impossible from natural causes, such marriage may be declared null and void by either party.

  • B) Suits for Dissolution (Section 31): If a husband/wife is continually absent for the space of seven years and has not been heard of as being alive, the marriage may be dissolved.

  • C) Divorce (Section 32): Grounds for divorce are provided as follows:

    1. Marriage not consummated within 1 year after solemnization due to willful refusal by the defendant.

    2. Unsound Mind:

      • a) Defendant at the time of marriage was of unsound mind (UM) and habitually so. Divorce shall not be granted unless the plaintiff was ignorant of the fact and files the suit within 3 years of marriage.

      • b) Defendant has been incurably of unsound mind for a period of 2 years.

    3. Pregnancy: Defendant was at the time of marriage pregnant by some person other than the plaintiff. Provided the plaintiff was ignorant of the fact, the suit is filed within two years of the date of marriage, and marital intercourse has not taken place after knowing the fact.

    4. Offenses: Defendant since marriage committed adultery, fornication, bigamy, rape, or unnatural offense. Suit must be filed within 2 years after coming to know the fact.

    5. Harm: Defendant since the marriage voluntarily caused grievous hurt, infected the plaintiff with Venereal Disease (STD), or compelled the wife to submit herself to prostitution.

    6. Imprisonment: Defendant undergoing sentence of imprisonment for 7 years or more. Provided the defendant has undergone at least 1 year of imprisonment.

    7. Desertion: Defendant deserted plaintiff for at least 2 years.

    8. Conversion: Defendant ceased to be Parsi by conversion to another religion.

    • Section 32B: Divorce by mutual consent is provided in the said Act.