Mistress fined for lover's failed marriage

Malaysia Sun (IANS) Friday 9th March, 2007

A Malaysian court sentenced a woman of Indian origin to pay 10,000 ringgit ($2,850) in damages for her part in breaking up the marriage of her lover, a news report said Friday.

Kerpal Kaur was made to pay the sum to Kamlesh Mangal, the ex-wife of her lover, after an appeals court found her guilty of having an affair with dentist Shudesh Kumar, leading to the breakdown of his marriage.

Shudesh, 61, was also ordered to pay damages amounting to 115,000 ringgit ($32,857) plus a 1,000 ringgit ($286) monthly maintenance to his ex-wife, the Star daily said.

In 2004, a high court ruled that Kamlesh had no strong evidence to show that her husband was having an affair, which resulted in their divorce.

She filed an appeal against the ruling, saying that the Kerpal and Shudesh's affair had caused the breakdown of her marriage and sought damages for adultery as well as financial maintenance for her and her children.

Following the ruling, Kamlesh's lawyers admitted that awarding damages for adultery was 'rare' in Malaysian courts.