Ahmedabad: A 41-year-old man has approached the Gujarat High Court seeking a divorce from his wife, citing cruelty. The HC is set to hear his appeal on December 1, in which he alleges that his wife repeatedly brought stray dogs into their home and even forced him to sleep with them on the same bed.

The Christian couple married in Ahmedabad in 2006, but problems began when the wife brought home a stray dog despite the housing society’s ban on pets. He alleges that the dog posed safety risks to him and other residents and that they lacked the finances to maintain it. Despite his objections, the wife allegedly continued bringing home more dogs, leading to opposition from neighbours.

The petition states that the dogs bit other residents, created unhygienic conditions, and caused the couple to be ostracised. Frequent complaints supposedly resulted in repeated police summons, causing the husband severe distress.

He further claims the wife forced him to clean and cook for the dogs, and that the dogs, protective of her, would attack him during marital disputes. One dog reportedly insisted on sleeping on their bed and bit him if he tried to sleep beside his wife.

Another ground cited for divorce is an April Fool’s prank arranged by the wife through a radio station, during which he was falsely accused of infidelity. He says the widely broadcast prank caused him public humiliation among friends and colleagues.

The husband also claims he developed diabetes and other health issues due to the alleged cruelty. In 2011, he says he left their home to move to Bengaluru, but she followed him there. He first filed for divorce in Bengaluru in 2012, but the case was returned in 2016 due to jurisdiction issues. He refiled in Ahmedabad, where his plea was dismissed in February 2024, prompting the current appeal.

The wife has denied all allegations. She told the family court that she never picked up stray dogs and claimed that her husband worked with a trust that cared for stray animals and that he himself brought the dogs home.

On November 11, a Division Bench comprising Justice Sangeeta K. Vishen and Justice Nisha M. Thakore asked both sides to explore the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.

Describing the marriage as irretrievably broken, the husband is offering Rs 15 lakh in alimony. His wife demanded Rs 2 crore, with her counsel noting that the husband’s family owns a resort abroad and should pay a reasonable amount. The matter will now be taken up on December 1. DeshGujarat