Case Story No: 1/2025 - Slow Vision (Family Matter)

Case Introduction

In 2018, I received a call from a close friend. After exchanging pleasantries, she asked me if I handled family matters. When I responded affirmatively, she told me that her brother was facing a serious issue. I asked her to bring him to my office for a detailed discussion.

Two or three days later, my friend arrived at my office along with her brother, mother, and father. The fact that the entire family was present indicated that the issue was serious. Her brother, Arjun Mehta (fictional name), then began narrating his ordeal.

Arjun Mehta and Riya Sharma (fictional name) had an arranged marriage, not a love marriage. Both families were well-respected and financially stable. The wedding was celebrated grandly, and everything seemed fine initially.

However, within a few days of the marriage, Arjun’s family began to notice something unusual about Riya’s behavior. She often seemed confused while moving around the house. She would frequently bump into objects, struggle to avoid obstacles, and had difficulty locating things in dim lighting, especially at night.

Initially, Arjun’s family assumed she just needed time to adjust to her new home. But one day, while descending the stairs, she almost tripped and fell. This incident raised alarms for Arjun’s parents. They questioned her about it, but her answers were vague.

As these incidents became more frequent, Arjun’s family decided to take her to an eye specialist for a check-up.

Medical Examination and the Shocking Truth

After thorough medical tests, the doctor revealed a shocking truth—Riya had slow vision (reduced visual acuity), a condition she had suffered from since childhood. The doctor further explained that her vision was significantly impaired in low light or at night, and she took longer than usual to recognize objects.

For instance, if an object fell to the ground, a normal person would notice it immediately, but Riya would take a few extra seconds to see it.

This revelation stunned Arjun’s family. They realized that Riya and her family had intentionally concealed this critical medical condition and had never disclosed it before the marriage.

Joint Meeting and Acceptance of Deception

Following the doctor’s report, Arjun and his family confronted Riya’s parents. When asked why they had hidden this information, Riya’s parents initially denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the issue was not severe and that it would not impact her married life.

However, when they were shown the medical reports and when the doctor explained that this condition had existed since her childhood, Riya’s father finally admitted their mistake.

Riya’s parents confessed that:

1. They feared the marriage might get called off if they disclosed the truth.
2. They did not consider it a significant issue, so they deliberately chose not to mention it.
3. If they had revealed this information, they might not have found such a good match for Riya.

Hearing this, Arjun’s family felt betrayed. They viewed this act as fraud and deception.

Legal Intervention and Mutual Divorce Agreement

As the legal representative, I intervened in the meeting and explained the legal violations committed by Riya’s family:

1. Fraud & Misrepresentation – They knowingly concealed crucial medical information to finalize the marriage.
2. Breach of Marital Trust – Marriage is built on trust, and this trust had been broken.
3. Financial Loss – Arjun’s family had spent a significant amount on the wedding, unaware of this deception.

After understanding the legal consequences, Riya’s family realized that continuing the marriage was no longer a viable option. They agreed to settle the matter amicably through mutual consent divorce.

The following terms were agreed upon:

1. A mutual divorce (Divorce by Mutual Consent) would be filed, with all legal expenses covered by Riya’s family.
2. Riya’s family would reimburse Arjun’s family for the wedding expenses, including interest.

Conclusion

This case serves as an essential lesson for society—transparency in marriage is crucial. A marital relationship is based on trust and honesty. Concealing significant information can lead to legal repercussions and emotional distress.

This case demonstrated that a relationship built on deception cannot last, and the law ensures justice for the wronged party.

For More Details

Adv. Vishal Gade
High Court, Bombay
+91 9987112056