The matter escalated in March 2023 when the wife overheard and discovered intimate remarks and letters exchanged between the husband and the other woman. (AI image)

In a significant examination of an emerging tort principle in Indian law, the Delhi High Court has held that a civil suit seeking damages from a third party for interfering in a marital relationship and alienating a spouse’s affection is maintainable before a Civil Court. The Court made it clear that these claims are based on tortious interference and not matrimonial relief as such and thus do not come under the exclusive jurisdiction of Family Courts.The order was passed by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav in Shelly Mahajan v. Ms Bhanushree Bahl & Anr, where summons were issued to the husband and the paramour in a damages suit founded on the concept of “Alienation of Affection” (AoA). The Court denied that the preliminary objections to maintainability were sustained and that the plaint has revealed a civil cause of action that should be adjudicated in the trial.The Court articulated the governing principle:“….a spouse is held to possess a protectable interest in marital consortium, intimacy, and companionship, the correlative legal duty would be that any third party must not intentionally and wrongfully interfere with that relationship by acts calculated to alienate the affection of a spouse to the other spouse, which the other spouse is legally entitled to.”“At the same time, a spouse retains the inherent liberty to make personal choices. Where the conduct of a spouse is completely voluntary, not induced and uncoerced, that exercise of such liberty of one spouse will defeat third-party liability.”At the same time, it acknowledged autonomy in the marriage.Dispute Background and AllegationsThe suit was instituted by the wife (Plaintiff), seeking damages on the premise that she was entitled to the affection and companionship of her husband, who had withdrawn such affection on account of intentional conduct of another woman who had entered into a close relationship with him.The marriage was solemnized in 2012. The couple were blessed with twin children in 2018 and were also involved in shared professional engagements within the family enterprise. The relationship between the husband and the other woman (Defendants) developed after she joined a related venture and gradually became closely associated with him through travel and social interactions. This association continued despite her being aware of the subsisting marriage between the husband and his wife.The matter escalated in March 2023 when the wife overheard and discovered intimate remarks and letters exchanged between the husband and the other woman, indicating an extramarital relationship. This was followed by public association between the husband and the other woman despite confrontation and family intervention. In this backdrop, the husband-initiated divorce proceedings. In view of this, the wife instituted a civil action seeking damages for alienation of affection on the ground that there was deliberate interference by the third party which led to the breakdown of the marriage.Objections to MaintainabilityThe defendants opposed the maintainability of the suit on the grounds that the dispute was a result of a marital relationship and hence was exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Family Court under Section 7 of the Family Courts Act. It was further argued that the allegations of adultery were pending consideration in the matrimonial cases and that the suit was a parallel forum challenge. Additionally, the husband’s counsel used personal autonomy and the principles emerging from the Supreme Court’s decision decriminalizing adultery to argue against judicial interference in private choices.At the threshold, the Court dismissed such submissions, holding that the cause of action alleged was different from matrimonial reliefs including divorce and maintenance. Applying the “cause of action” test articulated in precedent, the Court stated that the suit was not a matrimonial dispute but concerned an independent tortious injury caused by a third party. It emphasized that jurisdiction of Civil Courts cannot be excluded unless expressly or necessarily barred.The Court observed that the claim was brought as compensation arising due to wrongful interference and not enforcement of marital obligations and therefore was not subject to Family Court exclusivity. The pendency of divorce proceedings did not preclude damages claim since remedies pursued in each forum were legally distinct.It held:“The relief sought in this suit, i.e., compensation for tortious interference, is distinct from the remedies pursued under the matrimonial law. Even if there is factual overlap, the Civil Court is competent to proceed…”Doctrinal Examination of Alienation of AffectionThe Court made an extensive doctrinal inquiry into the history of the tort, observing that Indian law does not specifically acknowledge alienation of affection and that the doctrine has its roots in Anglo-American common law ‘heart-balm’ actions. Referring to Supreme Court jurisprudence, it accepted that the interference with the marital consortium could technically be an intentional tort even though it recognized that the doctrine continues to be underdeveloped in India.The Court noted:“Although a third party may be instrumental in alienating the affection or companionship of a spouse, it is rare for the aggrieved spouse to pursue an action against such an intruder…. To date, no Indian Court appears to have granted relief in a civil suit seeking damages solely on the basis of AoA… the Courts have, thus far, not evolved any substantive law or remedies to support its enforcement in practice.”The Court additionally emphasized that while English common law principles may have persuasive value in shaping Indian tort jurisprudence, statutory developments in foreign jurisdictions do not apply proprio vigor, and domestic courts must evolve principles consistent with Indian constitutional and legislative frameworks.The Court, however, found that theoretical acknowledgment of the tort, and convincing common-law principles were sufficient to allow examination of such claims where pleaded facts disclosed intentional interference capable of causing compensable injury.Clarifying the analytical framework for such actions, the Court held that maintainability depends on whether the plaintiff can establish wrongful interference, causation, and measurable loss. It stated:“A civil action for wrongful interference in marriage is sustainable, so long as the plaintiff can… establish intentional and wrongful conduct… clear causation… and that the loss claimed is susceptible of rational assessment.”Elaborating further, the Court identified these requirements as forming the threshold structure governing such tort actions:

This articulation was the basis of allowing the suit to pass beyond threshold scrutiny.The Court further emphasized that recognition of autonomy following decriminalization of adultery does not extinguish civil consequences, stating:“The decision in Joseph Shine decriminalised adultery; it did not create a license to enter into intimate relationships beyond marriage, free from civil or legal implications… such conduct may nevertheless give rise to civil consequences.”By striking a balance between the personal freedoms and social norms, the Court saw marriage as a social and legal institution associated with the norms of exclusivity. It observed that although individual liberty safeguards intimate decision-making against criminal law, civil law could still acknowledge injury that results about the violation of obligating relationship in the event of third-party intervention being claimed.It also reiterated that liability would not arise if the spouse acted entirely independently:“Where the conduct of a spouse is completely voluntary… that exercise of such liberty… will defeat third-party liability.”However, factual determination of voluntariness and inducement requires trial evidence and cannot be resolved at the summons stage.The Court therefore held that the plaint disclosed a civil cause of action grounded in alleged tortious interference distinct from matrimonial remedies and not barred by Section 7 of the Family Courts Act. Finding no statutory exclusion of jurisdiction and noting that the issue required evidentiary adjudication, it directed issuance of summons to the defendants while reserving their right to seek rejection of the plaint at an appropriate stage.CS(OS) 602/2025 & I.A. 21712-21714/2025SHELLY MAHAJAN vs MS BHANUSHREE BAHL & ANR.For Plaintiff: Ms. Malavika Rajkotia, Ms. Purva Dua and Mr. Mayank Grover, Advocates.For Defendants: Mr. K.C. Jain, Advocate for D-1, Mr. Prabhjit Jauhar, Ms. Tulika Bhatnagar and Mr. Sehaj Kataria, Advocates for D-2.(Vatsal Chandra is a Delhi-based Advocate practicing before the courts of Delhi NCR.)

Joji Varghese with Sanju Samson

NEW DELHI: In 2017, Joji Varghese packed his luggage, left Thiruvananthapuram forever, and flew to Canada. He had obtained a Canadian PR — a challenging but necessary step to secure a bright future for his children. His wife had been working as a nurse in Italy, but language barriers made settling there difficult. A long-term vision, his children’s future, and a decent life — these were all in Joji’s mind, and hence he chose Canada. While applying for PR, he needed a profession to qualify and chose a six-month massage therapy course. The course eventually helped him secure permanent residency in Canada.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!He moved to Canada and started living in Brampton, near Toronto.He had achieved all his dreams by then except one — meeting his favourite cricketer, Sanju Samson, whom he had watched play from afar at the same college where he worked as a physical education teacher.

Fate, it seems, had its own plans. Destiny served that dream on a platter to Joji, and he became emotional.Over time, Joji made a name for himself as a skilled massage therapist in Canada and later got an opportunity to work with Cricket Canada. Now, he is travelling with the Canadian team for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India. Wearing the Canada jersey, he moves from one corner of a cricket ground to another, meeting cricketers from all over the world and cherishing every moment of his homecoming.Interestingly, his long-cherished dream was fulfilled when India and Canada were scheduled to practice at the Arun Jaitley Stadium recently in different time slots, and Joji got to meet his hero — Sanju Samson.“I was destined to meet him. It’s nothing short of a dream story for me. Finally meeting Sanju was truly a dream come true,” Joji told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview. “Back when he was a college student, I would often see him on campus because we were in the same college. He was at Mar Baselios Engineering College in Thiruvananthapuram for his bachelor’s degree, and I was in the Sports Department in the same campus.“

Joji Varghese with Canada cricket team captain Dilpreet Bajwa

“When I learned that Canada and India were sharing the same practice session, I was really excited. And when I finally saw him on the ground, it became one of the most memorable moments of my life that I will cherish forever. Our conversation took place after his warm-up session when he came to the dressing room. Sanju was extremely humble, approachable, and down-to-earth. When I told him I was from Kerala, he immediately smiled, addressed me as ‘Chetta,’ and asked, ‘Sugamano?’—instantly creating a personal and emotional connection. Despite being such a big international star, he interacted with great simplicity and respect,” he said.“We spoke about Canadian cricket and our journeys. Sanju also has a massive fan following in Canada. The Indian community there, as well as many members of the Canadian team, admire him deeply for his batting consistency and calm leadership. Among young cricketers and fans of Kerala origin, his popularity continues to grow. Every weekend, people form teams and play cricket, and Sanju is a big inspiration for them,” Joji added.Joji has also worked with several international cricketers including Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Moeen Ali, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, Yuvraj Singh and Mark Chapman.

JOJI’S JOURNEY: KERALA TO CANADAWith his wife working in Italy, Joji managed both children while continuing his job in Thiruvananthapuram.Both Joji and his wife applied for Canadian PR, and once they received it, they didn’t look back. The decision was emotional, but considering the future of their children, they took this bold step.“My daughter missed her mother a lot. We needed money at that time, so my wife had to leave. In Italy, you need to know Italian if you apply for PR. That’s why we chose an English-speaking country, and we chose Canada. My wife is in the medical field, so she easily got PR, and I did a sports massage therapist course. Because of the demand, I got an opportunity too,” he said.“Now, I have four kids. My daughter is 16, my second child, a son, is 13, and I have twin boys who are six years old,” he added.“I worked in a private company and then got the opportunity with the Global T20 Canada tournament. That was a big opportunity for me. Later, I got an offer with Cricket Canada, and with the help of the cricket board, I am now travelling to India,” he said.“Currently, it’s minus 30 degrees in Canada. Cricketers need extra attention in such conditions. We came in the first week of January to Sri Lanka for a practice session to adapt to the climate. We trained there for a whole month,” he added.

American bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor created history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 16. The 41-year-old won the women’s monobob and secured her first Olympic gold medal. It was the sixth Olympic medal of her career. The achievement tied her with speed skating legend Bonnie Blair for the most Winter Olympic medals by an American woman. The win was an emotional moment for her. She won after years of near misses, injuries, and motherhood challenges.Behind her success stands her husband, Nic Taylor. Taylor is a fellow bobsledder and coach. He has been closely involved in her training and recovery. The couple share both sporting and family responsibilities while raising two children. Nic’s experience as an athlete and strength coach has helped Elana to extend her career into her 40s. Their partnership has become a major part of her comeback story and Olympic triumph.

Nic Taylor’s support for Elana Meyers Taylor and their unique love story

Nic Taylor is a professional bobsledder, chiropractor, and conditioning coach. He first competed as a track athlete at Cal State Northridge before moving into bobsledding in 2011. He later became part of Team USA’s program and even served as an Olympic alternate in 2018 and 2022. In 2014, Nic and Elana competed together in a mixed-gender four-person bobsled team, making history in international competition.Their relationship began with a simple phone call. Nic contacted the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation after losing paperwork, and Elana answered while she was an intern. They talked for hours without meeting. Soon after, they met in person at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center and started dating the same day. Nic quickly felt he wanted to spend his life with her.Nic proposed in January 2013 when Elana stood on the podium after winning a World Championship silver medal. They married in April 2014 in a ceremony inspired by bobsledding. Today, Nic designs her workouts and supports her competition schedule while also working as a chiropractic doctor with the Sacramento Kings.The couple have two sons, Nico and Noah, both born with hearing impairment. They travel together during the bobsled season and communicate using sign language and cochlear implants. Elana Meyers Taylor once considered retirement after childbirth. However, she returned for the 2026 Olympics and won gold. Her success showed her determination. While her beau’s guidance remained central to her remarkable achievement.

The semifinal clash of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 has reached a dramatic crescendo as Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir lock horns in a nerve-wracking contest. With a place in the final at stake, the game swung yet again on Day 4 when India pacer Mohammed Shami produced a moment of sheer brilliance to dismiss Shubham Pundir with an absolute jaffa. While J&K remain on the brink of history, Bengal have shown they are far from done.

Mohammed Shami dismisses Shubham Pundir with a beauty

The morning began with Jammu and Kashmir cautiously resuming their chase of 126. With the pitch offering variable movement and pressure mounting, every run carried weight. Pundir looked composed at the crease and even clipped Akash Deep elegantly through midwicket for a boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking.

But then came the Shami moment. Operating from around the wicket, the seasoned pacer pitched the ball on off stump and got it to hoop sharply back in. Pundir, tempted into a drive on the up, found himself completely beaten by the late movement. The ball sneaked past his bat and rattled the stumps, sending the Bengal camp into wild celebrations.

It was classic Shami — relentless seam position, subtle swing, and lethal accuracy. The dismissal injected fresh life into Bengal’s hopes and momentarily silenced the J&K dressing room.

Here’s the video:

Right on the money! 👊

Watch Mohd. Shami give Bengal their first breakthrough of the morning!

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/QXyCuRHJ6e#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Vk3sQgq0tE

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 18, 2026

Also READ: Fans react as Nepal sign off T20 World Cup 2026 on a high after Dipendra Singh Airee’s historic knock destroys Scotland

J&K eye historic milestone

However, Jammu and Kashmir are still in command of the situation. Led by the experienced Paras Dogra, the side needs just 34 more runs to script history. At 92/4 in their chase of 126, they are tantalisingly close to sealing their first-ever appearance in a Ranji Trophy final.

For a team that has steadily risen through the ranks in recent seasons, this semifinal represents more than just a match — it is an opportunity to announce themselves on the biggest stage of India’s domestic circuit.

The tension is palpable. Every delivery is being watched with bated breath, every run cheered passionately. While Bengal continue to believe in a late twist, J&K know that composure will be their biggest ally in the final stretch.

Also READ: Fans react as KL Rahul and Smaran Ravichandran chase down 325 as Karnataka knock Mumbai out to reach Ranji Trophy semi-finals

Abhishek Sharma (AP Photo)

AHMEDABAD: Fresh from a morale-boosting 61-run win over Pakistan in Colombo, India will hope Abhishek Sharma rediscovers form ahead of the Super 8s when they face the Netherlands in their final World Cup league match at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday. The contest may not test the defending champions fully, but it offers a valuable opportunity to acclimatise to a venue where India will play their opening Super 8 fixture against South Africa on February 22, and potentially the final on March 8.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Despite the fixture’s one-sided look on paper, a sizeable turnout is expected at the world’s largest cricket stadium. “We are expecting more than 70,000 spectators. Around 70,000 turned up for the South Africa-New Zealand game here last week,” Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Anil Patel told TOI.

With India already through to the next stage — where they will face South Africa (Feb 22, Ahmedabad), Zimbabwe (Feb 26, Chennai) and West Indies (March 1, Kolkata) — staying mentally sharp for what is effectively an inconsequential tie could be the bigger challenge.The spotlight, meanwhile, is on Abhishek. The explosive left-hander arrived at his maiden T20 World Cup with considerable hype after 18 months of destructive opening batting, but has endured a barren run — dismissed for ducks in both matches he has played. In fact, the 25-year-old Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad batter has four ducks in his last six innings. He also missed the Namibia game in Delhi due to illness.India’s strong start from Ishan Kishan — the team’s leading run-scorer with 158 runs at a strike rate of 197.50 — has masked Abhishek’s lean patch. But against stronger opponents in the Super 8s, India would want their left-handed aggressor firing on all cylinders. Perhaps a slight recalibration is needed. Yet this is also the kind of game where Abhishek’s high-risk, high-reward approach can flourish. Against Pakistan, he fell to Salman Ali Agha off the fourth ball; against USA, he perished first ball to Ali Khan.

The Netherlands clash presents an ideal chance for him to regain rhythm. India’s middle order, too, will look to fine-tune their approach against spin on surfaces offering assistance. Team combination could be another talking point. With three Super 8 matches in nine days, India may consider resting pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. If so, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh could share new-ball duties.On slower tracks, India opted for wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Arshdeep in Colombo. Whether they stick with Kuldeep remains to be seen. The Netherlands began the tournament brightly, pushing Pakistan to the brink and defeating Namibia by seven wickets. But a 93-run thrashing by USA in Chennai has dented their momentum. To compete against a settled and well-rounded Indian side, the Dutch will need a significant uplift.In their opening match of the T20 World Cup, South Africa made 213 for four against Canada here — the highest score in India so far in the tournament. If India’s bevy of shot-makers get going, they total may be breached.

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan‘s family has claimed that he is enduring “unimaginable mistreatment” in prison and demanded better health facilities for him.This comes after Khan recently told a visiting lawyer that he lost about 85 per cent of vision in the right eye due to alleged lack of health services.‘Under the vengeful instructions of Asim Munir’Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi claimed that the former prime minister is under the directives of ‘Asim Law’ and facing irreversible damage to his right eye as a direct consequence. She claimed that Khan has been diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion. “Imran Khan, a global celebrity, a philanthropist, and former prime minister of Pakistan, has endured unimaginable mistreatment in prison under the directives of ‘Asim Law,’ now facing irreversible damage to his right eye as a direct consequence,” Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi said in a post on X, referring to Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.“The jail’s poor conditions have severely impacted his health, leading to devastating effects on his eye, now diagnosed as retinal vein occlusion. This isn’t mere negligence. It’s deliberate cruelty, executed through an evil and conniving master plan of Gen Asim Munir. Under the vengeful instructions of Asim Munir, Imran Khan’s due treatment is being handled inside the poor conditions of the jail,” she added.Noreen added that given the nature of Khan’s eye condition, where he’s already lost 85 per cent of his vision, proper treatment “simply isn’t possible in a prison setting”.“Our sole constitutional and legal demand is that Imran Khan be immediately transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for treatment under the supervision of his personal physicians,” she demanded.“You (Munir) declare yourself the chief of a Muslim armed forces, quoting Quranic verses in your speech, but you refuse to abide by them. The nation is wide awake, and the whole world is watching this brutality and inhumane and despicable treatment of Imran Khan. This ushers in concerns about Imran Khan’s legal rights; it rather underscores the gravity of lawlessness now prevalent in Pakistan under illegitimate and un-Islamic rule. It represents a profound trial of your beliefs, your command, and your impending judgment,” Noreen said.Meanwhile, Khan’s close aide Zulfi Bokhari said the former premier told his wife Bushra Bibi on Tuesday that he remains deeply concerned about his eye.“His first and only priority is an immediate emergency meeting with his personal physicians -Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim. Let’s put politics aside for a moment and only focus on this one, extremely reasonable demand,” Bokhari said.PTI cuts off Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the rest of PakistanMeanwhile, Pakistan’s opposition alliance continued its sit-in in Islamabad, demanding better health facilities for jailed former premier Imran Khan.The sit-in is led by the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP), an alliance set up last year to protest the constitution of the country.Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is its main force, while the alliance is led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a Pashtun tribal leader from Balochistan who is also the leader of the opposition in the national assembly.The group launched the protest on Friday at two places in Islamabad, including near the parliament building and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, the official building of the provincial government in the capital.The protestors have vowed to continue the sit-ins until Khan is shifted for specialist care to a private hospital.The PTI has cut off Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province from the rest of the country by road blockades, demanding that Khan be immediately shifted to the hospital and allowing his doctors to see him.Former cricket captains appeal Pakistan govt over Khan careMore than a dozen former international cricket captains also issued a statement appealing the Islamabad government to give him “adequate” medical treatment.Former cricket skippers “respectfully” urges Pakistan “to ensure that Imran Khan receives immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing”.The campaign is led by former Australian captain and contemporary of Khan, Greg Chappell.“Khan deserves fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay or hindrance,” the statement said.Other signatories are Michael Atherton, Michael Brearley, Nasser Hussain and David Gower (England), Allan Border, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Steve Waugh and Kim Hughes (Australia), Clive Lloyd (West Indies) and John Wright (New Zealand).Government rejects chargesInterior minister Mohsin Naqvi told the media that the government has no intention to “politicise” the matter of Khan’s health, while blaming the opposition for doing the same.“The medical report also came forward yesterday, and everything is clear as per it. Neither we nor the government want to politicise this,” he said.He also criticised the furore by the PTI over Khan’s health.“Putting up such a show is extremely inappropriate, especially misleading people,” the minister said.The government refuted the charges made by Khan’s family and said that a two-member team of doctor, who, after examining the former premier concluded that his vision in the right eye without glasses was recorded at 6/24 partial, while the left eye measured 6/9.However, with corrective glasses, the right eye improved to 6/9 partial and the left eye to 6/6.They also reported a reduction in the swelling in the right eye, with its thickness decreasing from 550 to 350 microns, and the report termed it a sign of improvement. The doctors also recommended eye drops for both eyes, while advising the PTI founder to undergo two other eye tests.Pakistan’s Supreme Court has already requested a report on Khan’s living conditions in the Adiala jail near Rawalpindi, in connection with a case that has been pending since 2023.Authorities had previously confirmed that Khan underwent a 20-minute medical procedure in January at Islamabad’s government hospital but gave no other details.