KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Friday asked a couple, separated for eight years, to try to bridge their differences. After the estranged couple agreed to the HC's suggestion, the court has asked them to spend two days in Eco Park and then inform the court on what they think about their future.
The HC has left it on the couple to decide whether they would like to reconcile or battle out a separation in court. The couple got married eight years ago. The man, an engineer, works with the state government while his wife is an IT professional in Sector V.
The couple stayed together for three months, after which the woman started staying with her parents. But what struck the HC was that neither the wife nor the husband moved court, seeking formal separation for seven and a half years.
Around six months ago, the wife lodged a case under the Domestic Violence Act 2005, alleging that some of her ornaments were being held back by her husband. Fearing arrest, the husband moved an anticipatory bail plea in the HC.
Justice Kausik Chanda first desired to speak to the couple in person. The couple had met him in the judge's HC chamber. Asked by the HC whether they wanted to reconcile, the husband expressed his willingness to leave behind the differences while the wife also consented to the same. Justice Chanda told the couple that he would hear their case again after they spent two days together. Justice Chanda's office took the initiative to find a suitable accommodation for the couple to spend time together. The Eco Park was chosen as an option. The couple decided to split the tariffs.
Reconciliation attempts are mandated under Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Special Marriage Act 1954. In 2008, the high court had asked several estranged couples to spend time to try to salvage their marriage. In one case, the court sent a couple and their child on a five-day trip to Puri.
