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J U D G M E N T (Arising out of S.L.P.(C) No.26418 of 2004) Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.

Leave granted.

The above appeal was filed by the appellant, wife of the respondent herein, against the judgment and final order dated 10.9.2004 passed by the High Court of Delhi in F.A.O. No. 235 of 2002 whereby the Civil Writ Petition filed by the appellant was dismissed.

The short facts are as follows:

The marriage between the appellant-Vinita Saxena and the respondent-Pankaj Pandit was soleminzed on 7.2.1993 as per Hindu rites and customs. No child was born out of wedlock. The marriage, according to the appellant, lasted for five months and was never consummated on account of the fact that the respondent was incapable of performing his matrimonial obligations. According to the appellant, from the first day of the marriage, the respondent's mother treated the appellant with utmost cruelty both mental and physical and that the reason for cruelty was the respondent's mental disorder. The respondent's case is a case of Paranoid Schizophrenia and the appellant discovered only after the marriage that the respondent was under constant treatment and observations of different doctors even prior to the marriage for the said ailment. Though the appellant knew the respondent prior to her marriage, in fact, it is only after the marriage, the appellant realised and discovered the mental disorder of the respondent. The appellant was never told by the respondent nor his parents that he was suffering from such serious mental disorder and that he was under the treatment and used to take strong medicines before the marriage. According to Dr. C.R. Samanta, who was a consultant psychiatrist at Aashlok Hospital, the respondent was a case of Schizophrenia and depression. On 4.7.1993, the appellant tried to discuss regarding the problems she was facing with the respondent and her mother- in-law, who objected strongly and accused the appellant of defaming the respondent. At her instance, the appellant was beaten mercilessly by the respondent, which made him nervous to the extent that he consumed "Baygon Spray" to commit suicide. The appellant and her brother immediately took the respondent to the hospital in order to save the respondent's life. Again, Dr. C.R. Samantha prescribed certain medicines i.e. (1) Triperidol (2) Pacitane (3) Prodep to the respondent. The respondent was hospitalised for four days at Aashlok Hospital, Safdarjung Enclave and was discharged after giving proper treatment on 7.7.1993. According to the appellant, Triperidol is given in case of acute and chronic psychoses anxiety disorders, mania, Schizophrenia as per the medical advise. The situation further became worse on 8.7.1993 and 9.7.1993. Again on the instigation of the respondent's mother, the respondent slapped and abused the appellant mercilessly and she was not even allowed to have food that day and the next day morning i.e. on 9.7.1993. On 9.7.1993, the appellant was pushed and kicked out of the matrimonial home by her mother-in-law and the respondent and thereafter, the appellant was not permitted to return again.

1) Non-consummation of the marriage itself would constitute mental cruelty to a married woman.

2) The respondent attempted to commit suicide also amounts to mental cruelty and harassment.

3) The appellant has lived only for five months after the marriage and she was mercilessly beaten by the respondent and his mother.

4) There was absolutely nothing to show that the documents and prescription given by the doctors have been concocted. They are the official records of the Hospital.

5) The medical prescriptions and the evidence of doctors clearly illustrate that the respondent was under the treatment of Dr. Samantha and was a case of Paranoid Schizophrenia.

In support of her case, PW-2, J.S. Saxena  father of the appellant, was examined. He supported the appellant's case and corroborated her evidence. Even in the cross-examination of PW-2, there is no material change or inconsistency. With regard to the grant of cruelty, there is deposition of the appellant and her father on record which clearly establishes and proves that the appellant was treated with cruelty by the respondent and his mother. With regard to the plea of mental insanity i.e. Section 13(1)(iii), the appellant adduced the evidence of Dr. D.S. Arora, Medical Superintendent, Aashlok Hospital as well as Dr. Kuldeep Kumar of Safdarjung Hospital. Dr. D.S. Arora, a summoned witness produced the entire record pertaining to the respondent. He exhibited the case of the respondent maintained by Dr. C.R. Samantha. Dr. D.S. Arora identified the signatures of Dr. C.R. Samantha and proved Ex. PW-3/1. The original record of respondent was produced in the Court. Dr. D.S. Arora also proved the prescriptions  Ex. PW-3/2 and Ex. PW-3/3. Ex. PW-3/5 was the prescription written by Dr. D.S. Arora and it was bearing his signatures. The entire medical history and record of the respondent pertaining to his medical illness, his visit and admission to Aashlok Hospital on 4.7.1993 and discharge on 7.7.1993 as well as the case history of the respondent maintained by Dr.C.R. Samantha were duly proved and exhibited. According to the medical record, the respondent was admitted with reference to a case of Psychopathic and depression for the last fortnight, now admitted for disturbed consciousness. He was suggested to take Triperidol medicine. The other prescription has been authored by Dr. D.S. Arora who stated that the respondent had consumed "Baygon Spray". It was also specified that the respondent is a known case of depression. Medicine 'Triperidol' was suggested to be administered to him. With regard to the consumption of "Baygon Spray", a stomach wash was carried out upon the respondent and he was administered injections 'Atropine', and 'Dextrose-1/V and PAM 1 to 1/V. The evidence of Dr. D.S. Arora and the record signed by Dr. C.R. Samantha are admissible in evidence and has been legally proved. The evidence of Dr. Kuldeep Kumar of Safdarjung Hospital also establishes the case of mental insanity and the fact that the respondent was a case of Paranoid Schizophrenia. The said Doctor produced the original record and made necessary deposition. He had brought the originals during his examination and it is recorded that the respondent had visited the Psychiatric Ward on 12.12.1992 along with his mother. Dr. Abhyankar also recorded about the history of respondent's illness. It was also recorded by the said Doctor that the respondent suffers from delusion of persecution and reference effect and on the physical examination it had been observed that the respondent has clear systematized delusion of persecution and reference and, therefore on the review it is clear that the respondent is suffering from Paranoid Schizophrenia. The medical record of the respondent maintained by the Safdarjung hospital (Outdoor Patient Department) has been established that the respondent visited Hospital on 21.12.1992 and was advised for psychological testing. It was observed in a medical sheet that the respondent was initially diagnosed for psychosis. However, on subsequent visits and after detailed examination it has been confirmed that he suffers from Paranoid Schizophrenia.

The appellant has also produced on record a communication dated 9.5.1994 addressed by Professor Dr. Prema Bali, who was working in the Institute of Sexology and Marriage Counselling. Dr. Prema Bali is the relative of respondent and she has communicated to the appellant that the respondent has a psychiatric problem as his case is a case of Paranoid Schizophrenia.

It would be pertinent to observe that there is no evidence whatsoever adduced by the respondent or on his behalf. In fact, after recording of the examination-in-chief and part cross-examination, the respondent refused to come in the witness box and ran away. The observation has been made by the trial Court in the proceedings. A RESEARCH ON THE DISEASE "Schizophernia is one of the most damaging of all mental disorders. It causes its victims to lose touch with reality. They often begin to hear, see or feel things that aren't really there (hallucinations) or become convinced of things that simply aren't true (delusions). In the paranoid form of this disorder, they develop delusions of persecution or personal grandeur. The first signs of paranoid schizophrenia usually surface between the ages of 15 and 34. There is no cure, but the disorder can be controlled with medications. Severe attacks may require hospitalization.