GAJERA CHIRAGKUMAR BHARATKUMARversusANKITABEN D/O. POPATLAL PARSHOTTAMBHAI HIRPARA
- Disposal
- 47-DISPOSAL IN ANY OTHER MODE FH
Holding
The appeal is allowed; the Family Court's dismissal is set aside and a decree of divorce under Section 13(1)(b) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1956 is to be issued.
Summary
The appellant husband filed a first appeal against the Family Court's dismissal of his suit for dissolution of marriage by mutual consent. Both parties had been living separately since December 2019 and had executed a customary divorce, but the Family Court dismissed the suit on technical grounds under Section 13(1)(b) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1956. The respondent wife submitted a consent affidavit expressing no objection to the divorce. The High Court examined whether the dismissal could be set aside given the mutual consent of the parties. It held that the Family Court's order was set aside and ordered the marriage dissolved by a decree of divorce under Section 13(1)(b). Consequently, the appeal was allowed and the decree of divorce was to be drawn.
Issues considered
- Whether the Family Court's dismissal of a suit for dissolution of marriage by mutual consent on technical grounds can be set aside.
- Whether a decree of divorce under Section 13(1)(b) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1956 can be granted when both parties consent.
- Whether the marriage can be dissolved despite a prior customary divorce agreement.
Legislation cited
- Hindu Marriage Act, 1956s. 13(1)(b)
Subjects
Judgment
C/FA/1528/2026 ORDER DATED: 27/04/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/FIRST APPEAL NO. 1528 of 2026
==========================================================
GAJERA CHIRAGKUMAR BHARATKUMAR
Versus
AKITABEN D/O. POPATLAL PARSHOTTAMBHAI HIRPARA
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR ATIT D THAKORE(5290) for the Appellant(s) No. 1
MS NEHA SHUKLA for MR KUNAL S SHAH(5282) for the Defendant(s) No. 1
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BHARGAV D. KARIA
and
HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE L. S. PIRZADA
Date : 27/04/2026
ORAL ORDER
(PER : HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BHARGAV D. KARIA)
1. Heard learned advocate Mr.Atit Thakore for the appellant-
husband and Ms.Neha Shukla for Mr.Kunal Shah, learned
advocate for the respondent-wife.
2. The appellant is virtually present as he is residing in
United States and is identified by learned advocate, Mr.Atit
Thakore. Learned advocate, Ms.Neha Shukla has identified the
respondent-wife, Ankitaben, who is personally present in the
Court.
3. Learned advocate for the parties have submitted draft
amendment. The same is allowed in terms of the draft.
Amendment be carried out forthwith.
4. Learned advocates for the parties have submitted
consent affidavit of the respondent, which reads as under:-
Page 1 of 4
C/FA/1528/2026 ORDER DATED: 27/04/2026
“I, Ankitaben D/o Popatlal Parshottambhai Hirpara,
Female, Aged 34 years, Occupation House wife, residing
at Una, Gir Somnath, do hereby solemnly affirm and state
on oath as under:-
1. I say that I am the respondent in the present First
Appeal and I am well acquainted with the facts and
circumstances of the case, and therefore, competent to
swear this affidavit.
2. I say that the marriage between myself and the
appellant was solemnized on 3.2.2018 as per Hindu rites
and customs. After the marriage, due to not matching the
nature and not ready to live together. Therefore, we
could not continue our marital relationship peacefully.
3. I say that due to such irreconcilable differences, we
have been living separately since 23.12.2019, and all
efforts of reconciliation between us have failed. We have
mutually agreed to dissolve our marriage by way of
consent and have also executed customary divorce on
23.12.2019.
4. I say that thereafter, both the appellant and myself
jointly filed a suit for dissolution of marriage by mutual
consent before the Hon'ble Family Court at Una.
However, the said suit came to be dismissed by the
Learned Family Court on technical grounds.
Page 2 of 4
C/FA/1528/2026 ORDER DATED: 27/04/2026
5. I say that the present first appeal has been preferred
by the appellant challenging the said order of dismissal
passed by the Learned Family Court.
6. I say that I have no objection if the present appeal is
allowed and the marriage between myself and the
appellant is dissolved by a decree of divorce by mutual
consent.
7. I, therefore, respectfully pray that this Hon'ble Court
may be pleased to allow the present appeal and pass
appropriate orders for dissolution of marriage between
the appellant and myself in the interest of justice.”
5. Learned advocate Mr.Atit Thakore submitted that the
appellant preferred Family Suit No.49 of 2025 in the Family
Court at Una for getting divorce, in view of the customary
divorce agreement entered between the parties on
23.12.2019. It was submitted that learned Family Court Judge
has dismissed the Family Suit for divorce filed by the appellant
under Section 13 (1) (b) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1956.
6. It was submitted that both the parties are ready for
divorce and, in view of the affidavit filed by the respondent-
wife, judgment and decree passed by the Family Court may be
set aside and decree of divorce may be drawn as per the
provisions of Section 13 (1) (b) of the Hindu Marriage Act.
Page 3 of 4
C/FA/1528/2026 ORDER DATED: 27/04/2026
7. We have ascertained the wish of the respondent through
learned advocate Ms.Nehal Shukla, for giving consent for the
divorce.
8. Considering the submissions of the learned advocate for
the appellant and in view of the contents of the consent
affidavit filed by the respondent-wife as well as wish expressed
by her in the Court, the judgment and decree dated 18.2.2026
passed by the Family Court, Una, rejecting the Family Suit
No.49 of 2025 is set aside. The marriage solemnized between
the parties on 3.2.2018 is ordered to be annulled and the
decree of divorce under Section 13 (1) (b) of the Hindu
Marriage Act, 1956 be drawn accordingly.
9. The appeal stands allowed in view of above facts.
(BHARGAV D. KARIA, J)
(L. S. PIRZADA, J)
R.S. MALEK
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judges.
Digitally signed by: RIYAZMIYA SABIRMIYA MALEK(HC00180), PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 30/04/2026 11:59:53
Page 4 of 4
Search Indian case law
Ask in plain English, not just keywords. 25,000 AI words free, no card.