Kochi, Aug. 20 -- The Kerala High Court ruled that Christian women can file for divorce in the family court of their current place of residence, even if it is different from where they last lived with their husband.

A division bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Preeta AK was hearing an appeal by a woman who had left her matrimonial home due to domestic violence and had shifted districts.

Interpreting Section 3(3) of the Indian Divorce Act, 1869, the court adopted a constitutional approach to prevent discrimination against women forced to relocate due to hardship.

The bench overturned a single-judge order and earlier family court rulings that required women to file in the original jurisdiction.

The petitioner had filed for d...