As per case facts, the appellant-husband filed for divorce alleging problematic behavior, theft, alcohol abuse, and desertion by the respondent-wife. The respondent-wife denied these claims, alleging dowry demands and filing ... criminal charges against the husband, of which he was later acquitted. The Family Court dismissed the divorce petition, prompting the husband to appeal. The question arose whether a long separation, rendering the marital bond unworkable and beyond repair, amounts to mental cruelty, and if the Family Court's judgment required interference. Finally, the High Court determined that the parties' long separation and the husband's acquittal in criminal proceedings constituted mental cruelty and an irretrievable breakdown of marriage. The High Court allowed the appeal, dissolved the marriage, and granted liberty to the respondent-wife to seek permanent alimony.