BOMBAY: A decree of presumption of death and of dissolution of marriage of Captain George Hunnisett Gloster against his wife under the Indian and Colonial Divorce Jurisdiction Acts of 1926 and 1940 has been passed by the Chief Justice of Bombay, Sir John Beaumont.

This is probably the first case of its kind tried in Bombay. The parties were married in April 1927 and were residing in Bombay. In January 1942, the petitioner was ordered overseas and thereafter the respondent was living alone in Bombay. She was found to be very despondent and melancholic, especially following the war developments.

On March 1942, the respondent was seen to have left her flat. She took no baggage or effects with her and completely disappeared. Enquiries were made by the police and the military authorities, but there was no trace of the respondent.

The petitioner prayed that the death of his wife might be, under these circumstances, presumed by the Court and a decree for dissolution of his marriage might be passed.

His Lordship granted the petition for divorce and ordered that the decree may be made absolute after one month.

[Meanwhile, it was reported from Mianwali that] a live bomb was discovered on September 10 near Dhankhel railway Station by a Pathan. — Dawn Delhi

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2018