In a ruling that could have far-reaching implication in divorce cases, the Kerala High Court on Friday held that that marital rape can be a good ground to claim divorce.

The verdict by a division bench of Justices A. Muhamed Mustaque and K. Edappagath came as it turned down an appeal filed by the husband challenging a judgement of a family court granting divorce on the ground of cruelty and dismissal of a petition for restitution of conjugal rights.