Under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, a husband or wife can send a legal notice to their spouse if there is a situation where the spouse has withdrawn from their company without reasonable cause. Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act deals with “Restitution of Conjugal Rights” and provides a legal remedy to a spouse who has been deserted by the other. The purpose of this provision is to encourage reconciliation and compel the spouse who has left the marital home to return.
Here’s how a legal notice can be sent under Section 9:
1. Grounds for Sending the Legal Notice
- One of the spouses has voluntarily left the marital home and refuses to live with the other spouse without any reasonable cause.
- The spouse who has been left behind can seek restitution of conjugal rights through legal means, i.e., a decree from the court to compel the spouse to resume marital relations.
2. Steps to Send a Legal Notice Under Section 9
Step 1: Consult a Lawyer
- Engage a Family Lawyer: It’s highly recommended that the spouse seeking restitution of conjugal rights consult a lawyer who specializes in family law.
- Gather Evidence: The lawyer will assist in collecting evidence and documentation proving the spouse’s desertion or withdrawal from the marital home.
Step 2: Draft the Legal Notice
- Contents of the Notice: The notice should include the following:
- Name, Address, and Identity of the Sender and Receiver: The names and addresses of both parties.
- Details of the Marriage: Date and place of marriage.
- Statement of Desertion: A clear statement that the spouse has left the marital home without reasonable cause and is refusing to resume cohabitation.
- Request for Reconciliation: A formal request asking the spouse to return to the marital home and resume marital relations.
- Warning of Legal Action: A statement mentioning that failure to return or respond to the notice will lead to legal proceedings under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, seeking a decree of restitution of conjugal rights.
- Time Frame for Response: A specific time limit (usually 15–30 days) for the receiving spouse to respond or comply with the notice.
Step 3: Send the Notice
- The legal notice should be sent through a registered post or acknowledged delivery to ensure there is proof of receipt by the spouse.
- Alternatively, it can be sent through a courier service, but the sender should keep a record of receipt.
Step 4: Wait for Response
- Once the legal notice is sent, the spouse receiving the notice has a set time (typically 15–30 days) to respond or comply with the request. If the spouse does not reply or refuses to return, the next step is to file a petition for restitution of conjugal rights in the family court under Section 9.
Step 5: File a Petition in Court
- If there is no response to the legal notice or the spouse refuses to resume cohabitation, the next step is to approach the family court for a decree of restitution of conjugal rights.
- The petition should contain the details mentioned in the legal notice, along with any evidence (e.g., communication, witness statements, etc.) showing that the spouse has deserted the marriage.
3. Court Procedure
- Once the petition is filed, the court will summon the other spouse to appear and present their side of the case.
- If the court is satisfied that the spouse has deserted the petitioner without justifiable reasons, it may issue a decree of restitution of conjugal rights under Section 9.
- However, if the spouse has a valid reason (such as cruelty, adultery, etc.), the court may dismiss the petition.
4. Consequences of Non-Compliance
- If the court grants the decree for restitution of conjugal rights, and the spouse still refuses to comply, it could lead to further legal consequences. The petitioner may file for divorce after a period (usually one year), citing the refusal to comply with the court’s order as grounds for divorce.
Sample Legal Notice for Restitution of Conjugal Rights
Here is an outline of a legal notice that a husband or wife might send to their partner:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postal Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
Date: [Insert Date]
To,
[Spouse’s Name]
[Spouse’s Address]
[City, Postal Code]
Subject: Legal Notice for Restitution of Conjugal Rights under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
Dear [Spouse’s Name],
I, [Your Name], the undersigned, am the legally wedded husband/wife of [Spouse’s Name]. We were married on [Date of Marriage] at [Place of Marriage]. I am sending this notice to you in accordance with Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, for restitution of conjugal rights.
It is with great regret that I inform you that you have willfully withdrawn from my company and have refused to cohabit with me without any reasonable cause, which amounts to desertion. Despite my attempts to resolve the matter amicably, you have not shown any intention to return to the marital home or to resume normal marital relations.
I hereby request you to return to the marital home and resume cohabitation with me at the earliest, failing which I will be forced to take legal recourse under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, seeking a decree of restitution of conjugal rights from the competent court.
I request you to respond to this notice within [15-30] days from the receipt of this notice. If I do not hear from you within the stipulated time, I will be left with no other option but to initiate legal proceedings against you.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Sending a legal notice under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act is an important first step when a spouse has abandoned the marital relationship. It serves both as a formal demand for the return of conjugal rights and as a precursor to legal action if the desertion continues. It’s highly advisable to consult with a qualified family lawyer to ensure the notice is properly drafted and to understand the legal implications fully.