There are several family laws also known as personal laws based on religion which are legislated by central government. People of different region are governed by their different codes/ customary laws. Hindu marriages are governed by Hindu Marriage Act which is also applicable on Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. Separate laws have been enacted to govern family matters of Christians and Muslims. There is also a Special Marriage Act which is applicable on the marriages between any persons of different religions or persons with no religious affiliation. There is a provision for divorce in Special Marriage Act which is similar to the provisions of Hindu Marriage Act. The main grounds of granting divorce are primarily divided into 3 categories: (a) Matrimonial Faults; (b) Special Circumstances & (c) Mutual Consent. Adultery, Cruelty, Desertion, Unsound Mind, Communicable Disease, incurable leprosy, renunciation of the world and having not seen to be alive for a period of 7 years or more fall under the first category of Matrimonial Faults. For a wife, certain additional grounds have also been enacted under law i.e. if the husband has been found to be guilty of offence of rape, sodomy or bestiality or if the woman was married before the age of 15 years and she repudiates the marriage before attaining the age of 18 years. Similar provisions for divorce are also present in Muslim Laws, Christian Laws and also under Special Marriage Act. If you want to initiate proceedings of divorce or are looking to defend such proceedings and are looking for a competent lawyer to represent you, look no further; Just give us a call and leave it on us handle to the same in the most professional and transparent manner.