34. Duty of court in passing decrees.―
(1) In any proceeding under Chapter V or Chapter VI,
whether defended or not, if the court is satisfied that,―
(a) any of the grounds for granting relief exists; and
(b) 5[where the petition is founded on the ground specified in clause
(a) of sub-section
(1) of
section 27, the petitioner has not in any manner been accessory to or connived at or condoned the act
of sexual intercourse referred to therein], or, where the ground of the petition is cruelty,
the petitioner has not in any manner condoned the cruelty; and
(c) when divorce is sought on the ground of mutual consent, such consent has not been obtained
by force, fraud or undue influence; and
1. The words “and one year has elapsed thereafter but not sooner” omitted by Act 68 of 1976, s. 31, (w.e.f. 27-5-1976).
2. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for sub-section
(1) (w.e.f. 27-5-1976).
3. Ins. by Act 50 of 2003, s. 2 (w.e.f. 23-12-2003).
4. Subs. by Act 68 of 1976, s. 33, for section 33 (w.e.f. 27-5-1976).
5. Subs. by s. 34, ibid. for “where the ground of the petition is adultery, the petitioner has not in any manner been accessory to or
connived at or condoned the adultery” (w.e.f. 27-5-1976).
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(d) the petition is not presented or prosecuted in collusion with the respondent; and
(e) there has not been any unnecessary or improper delay in instituting the proceedings; and
(f) there is no other legal ground why the relief should not be granted;
then, and in such a case, but not otherwise, the court shall decree such relief accordingly.
(2) Before proceeding to grant any relief under this Act it shall be the duty of the court in the first
instance, in every case where it is possible so to do consistently with the nature and circumstances of the
case, to make every endeavour to bring about a reconciliation between the parties:
1
[
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall apply to any proceeding wherein relief is
sought on any of the grounds specified in clause
(c), clause
(e), clause
(f), clause
(g) and clause
(h) of sub-
section
(1) of section 27.]
2
[
(3) For the purpose of aiding the court in bringing about such reconciliation, the court may, if the
parties so desire or if the court thinks it just and proper so to do, adjourn the proceedings for a reasonable
period not exceeding fifteen days and refer the matter to any person named by the parties in this behalf or
to any person nominated by the court if the parties fail to name any person, with directions to report to the
court as to whether reconciliation can be and has been, effected and the court shall in disposing of the
proceeding have due regard to the report.
(4) In every case where a marriage is dissolved by a decree of divorce, the court passing the decree
shall give a copy thereof free of cost to each of the parties.]
3
