Overview
- A bench of Justices Bharati H. Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande set aside the May 2025 decree that had dissolved the marriage on cruelty grounds.
- The High Court held that excerpts of WhatsApp messages cannot by themselves establish cruelty without leading evidence and a chance for rebuttal.
- The wife had appealed, saying the Nashik family court issued an ex-parte order without giving her an opportunity to oppose or present arguments.
- The matter has been remanded to the Nashik family court for fresh adjudication, with explicit directions to hear the wife and permit her to lead evidence.
- The bench noted the parties may explore settlement through mediation, a course suggested by the husband's counsel.