Pune: In an unusual and startling case from Maharashtra, a newly married doctor couple in Pune legally separated within 24 hours of their wedding. The rare divorce, processed through mutual consent, has sparked widespread discussion about communication, expectations, and preparedness in modern marriages.
The couple, both medical professionals, got married on December 26, 2025, in Pune after knowing each other for nearly two to three years. Family members described the wedding as a love marriage that appeared consensual and well planned. However, soon after the marriage rituals concluded, serious disagreements emerged between the two.
By the very next day, the couple approached the Pune family court and filed for divorce by mutual consent. The court accepted their petition and granted the divorce within 24 hours, marking one of the shortest marital durations legally recorded in the region.
Sources familiar with the case said the primary conflict revolved around professional commitments and future expectations. The husband reportedly works in the Merchant Navy, a profession that requires long periods at sea, sometimes lasting six months or more.
The wife, also a doctor, allegedly learned the full extent of his work schedule only after the marriage. She expressed concern over prolonged physical absence and uncertainty, which she felt would significantly affect married life. This late disclosure reportedly led to heated arguments soon after the wedding.
Family members attempted to mediate, but discussions failed to resolve the disagreement.
Despite the emotional weight of the situation, both individuals chose to proceed calmly and legally. There were no allegations of abuse, harassment, or criminal wrongdoing from either side. Lawyers advised the couple to opt for mutual consent, and both agreed that continuing the marriage would not be practical.
Legal experts note that while Indian divorce law usually includes a waiting period, courts can waive this requirement when both parties mutually agree and present a clear case. The Pune court exercised this provision after reviewing the circumstances.
Although the couple separated within 24 hours of their wedding, the marriage was formally dissolved later through a mutual consent divorce, following an 18-month legal process that included court counselling, mandatory waiting periods, and judicial review.
(Rh/ARC)