Chennai:Â The Madras high court has suggested that the Centre should bring a legislation making it mandatory for brides and grooms to undergo medical tests to ensure that they are not impotent or frigid. Such a law could drastically bring down divorce petitions on account of impotence, which the court felt was on the rise.
Justice N Kirubakaran made the suggestion and posted to September 5, further hearing of a petition filed by a husband, challenging the proceedings initiated by his wife under the Domestic Violence Act. The wife had also filed a case in the family court stating that her husband was impotent and wanted the court to declare the marriage null and void.
The judge also sought to know if the governments were aware that the failure of marriage due to impotency and frigidity had multiplied. “Why not the governments amend the Marriage Act to fast track matrimonial cases filed on the ground of impotency and frigidity and complete them within six months or one year? The governments could also think of including provision for awarding compensation/punishment for suppression of impotency/frigidity,†he said. He also asked the government about the other steps being contemplated to address the “serious problem/human tragedy†which could be avoided.
The assistant Solicitor-General and government advocate will seek instructions from the government with regard to these queries by September 5.