law: Indian Divorce Act, 1869 
  34. Husband may claim damages from adulterer 
  Any husband may, either in a petition for dissolution of
  
  marriage or for judicial separation, or in a petition of the District Court or
  
  the High Court limited to such object only, claim damages from any person on
  
  the ground of his having committed adultery with the wife of such petitioner.
  Such petition shall be served on the alleged adulterer and the
  
  wife, unless the court dispenses with such service, or directs some other
  
  service to be substituted.
  The damages to be recovered in any such petition shall be
  
  ascertained by the said court, although the respondents or either of them may
  
  not appear.
  After the decision has been given, the court may direct in what
  
  manner such damages shall be paid or applied.