Pokhara, July 28

Divorce cases have been soaring at the District Court in Kaski.

Of the 3,038 cases at the court last fiscal, 1,074 were transferred from the year before. Of the total cases filed at the court, as many as 624 were related to divorce. The number is highest compared to other areas while around 99 per cent cases were lodged by women.

According to data, women are far ahead of men in filing divorce cases. District Court Kaski judge Ram Prasad Oli said that increasing number of women were opting for divorce as they were becoming more rights conscious.

“The legal procedure for obtaining divorce is much easier for women compared to males. This could be the reason behind more women filing divorce cases,” said rights activists.

However, rights activists and solicitors are unclear whether divorce is the ultimate solution.

“Many couples seem to get married in haste and repent at leisure, which has been the root cause of increasing divorce cases,” said Kaski Court registrar Dinabandhu Baral.

He said many youths were involved in romantic affairs due to the influence of modern technology and means of communication, resulting in early marriage.

Of the total 2,632 cases filed in the district, 548 divorce cases were filed in fiscal 2013/14, whereas the number was 474 in fiscal 2012/13.

Muluki Ain has eased the divorce procedure for women. A woman can directly approach the court if she wants a divorce. As per the provision, the case can be finalised the same day if the husband is present.

However, the procedure is much more complex in the case of males. The male partner has to drop an application at the concerned VDC or municipality office if he wants a divorce. If compromise is not possible between the couple for a year, he can approach the court with necessary documents and appeal for divorce.

With the discriminatory provision between women and men, the apex court had issued a directive in the name of government responding to a writ petition two years ago.

However, it is yet to be tabled at the Legislature Parliament. “Divorce cases would alarmingly increase if the procedure was eased for men as well,” said Baral.