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Issues Involved:
1. Whether the High Court was justified in reversing the decree of divorce granted by the Family Court. 2. Whether the Family Court's findings on desertion and cruelty were supported by evidence. 3. The scope of the appellate court's power in reviewing findings of fact by the trial court. Issue-wise Detailed Analysis: 1. Justification of High Court's Reversal: The Supreme Court examined the High Court's decision to reverse the Family Court's decree of divorce, which was granted on grounds of desertion and cruelty. The High Court had set aside the Family Court's decision without adequately addressing the evidence and reasoning provided by the Family Court. The Supreme Court found that the High Court's judgment was "cryptic" and lacked detailed reasoning. It failed to properly consider the evidence and conclusions drawn by the Family Court, which had thoroughly examined the testimonies and circumstances surrounding the case. The Supreme Court emphasized the necessity for the appellate court to provide cogent reasons when overturning a trial court's findings, especially when those findings are based on oral evidence and the trial court had the advantage of observing the demeanor of witnesses. 2. Family Court's Findings on Desertion and Cruelty: The Family Court had granted a decree of divorce to the husband based on two grounds: desertion and cruelty. The evidence presented showed that the wife left the matrimonial home without just cause, leaving behind her minor daughter, and did not return despite efforts by the husband to reconcile. The Family Court found that the wife's behavior constituted cruelty, as it was hostile towards the husband and his family, and deprived him of conjugal rights. The court also noted the wife's refusal to attend her daughter's marriage, further supporting the claim of cruelty. The Supreme Court agreed with the Family Court's findings, noting that the evidence supported the conclusion that the wife was responsible for creating an intolerable situation for the husband. 3. Scope of Appellate Court's Power: The Supreme Court reiterated the principles governing the appellate court's review of trial court findings, especially those based on oral evidence. It highlighted that while an appellate court can re-appraise evidence and come to its own conclusions, it must do so with caution, respecting the trial court's advantage of having directly observed the witnesses. The appellate court should not lightly overturn the trial court's findings unless there is a clear error in the trial court's approach or reasoning. The Supreme Court criticized the High Court for not adequately engaging with the Family Court's reasoning and for failing to provide sufficient justification for its decision to reverse the decree of divorce. Conclusion: The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's judgment, finding that it did not meet the standards required for reversing the Family Court's findings. The matter was remanded to the High Court for fresh consideration, with instructions to prioritize the case due to the prolonged separation of the parties. The Supreme Court clarified that its observations were limited to the procedural deficiencies in the High Court's judgment and did not express any opinion on the merits of the case, leaving it to the High Court to decide based on the evidence.
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