About 56.5 per cent of newly wed couples part ways within two years of marriage, indicating a rise in the number of marital disputes in the city, according to a family court report here.
This percentage includes 14 per cent break in marriages within a year.
In the year 2006, there were 2,363 new cases registered with the court which jumped to 2,627 in the following year. In the year 2008, the number rose to 2385 and later went up to 2499, Principal Judge, Family Court, Bhawana Thakkar, told PTI.
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The Family Court, which was set up here by Shiv Sena—BJP regime in 1996, now has four courts looking in to the demands following the rise in the number of cases every year.
“The rate of disposal of cases was good, like 3,519 cases were decided in 2006, 2,212 in 2007, 2,308 disposed off in 2008 and 2,125 settled in 2009. But the average number of cases pending with the court here is estimated to be 5,000,” Mr. Thakkar said.
A sizeable 14 percent newly weds seek divorce even before celebrating their first wedding anniversary while 42.5 per cent seek separation within two years of their marriage. These two years are crucial in married life, he added.
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Senior Counsellor Shankar Pande said as per practice, the cases are referred to counsellors first who invite both the parties and even parents of affected couples.
It has been noted that the percentage of female approaching Family Court for seeking divorce is 45 per cent while that of male is 59 per cent.
Mr. Pande said females approach court as a last resort while males file cases mostly to threaten wives and in-laws.
A sizable 14 percent newly weds seek divorce even before celebrating their first wedding anniversary while 42.5 per cent seek separation within two years of their marriage.
These two years are crucial in married life, Mr. Thakkar said.
After two years most couples settles their disputes if any and thus the number of cases have shown a decline from 21.5 per cent of divorce between two to three years, 11.5 per cent between three to four years and just 10.5 per cent after five years of marriages.
Marital discord is common in middle class and higher middle class families and among graduates as compared to post graduates. The cases belong to mostly of the couples in the age group of 26-35 years, being the highest 52.5 per cent.
“Now we are inviting parents of the couples for counselling since they are to be blamed equally for the disputes among couples. The newly wed girls communicate with parents immediately whenever there is a problem with the husband. This is the beginning of disputes and quarrels,” Mr. Pande said.
Parent’s interference is one of the major factor in divorce cases besides ego clashes, he said.
The changing life style and extensive use of gadgets like computers and mobiles phones are adding fuel to fire. It has been noted during counselling that most of the couples working with high salaries and perks fail to get intimate due to lack of time.
“The departure of joint family concept was a big loss as no senior or elder person is available in the house to give advice on living relationship,” Mr. Thakkar added.