New Delhi: The law commission has recommended that "irretrievable breakdown" of marriage be included as a new ground for granting divorce to Hindus under the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act.

In its latest (217th) report submitted to the Centre, the commission made the recommendation keeping in mind the changing social trends in the country. The report was forwarded by law commission chairman AR Lakshmanan, officials said on Wednesday.

Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 provides grounds for presentation of a petition for divorce. Section 27 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 similarly provides grounds for grant of divorce in the case of a marriage solemnised under the Act. However, the two Acts do not provide "irretrievable breakdown of marriage" as a ground for divorce. This is for the second time that the commission has made such a recommendation.

The law commission, in its 71st Report titled The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage as a Ground of Divorce had recommended amendments in the Hindu Marriage Act to make irretrievable breakdown of marriage as a new ground for granting divorce among the Hindus.

Recently, the Supreme Court, in the case of Naveen Kohli vs Neelu Kohli, had recommended to the Centre to seriously consider bringing an amendment in the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 to incorporate the new ground. PTI