law: Indian Divorce Act, 1869 
  25. Separated wife deemed spinster for purposes of
  
  contract and suing 
  In every case of a judicial separation under this Act, the wife
  
  shall whilst so separated, be considered as an unmarried woman for the purpose
  
  of contract, and wrongs and injuries, and suing and being sued in any civil
  
  proceedings; and her husband shall not be liable in respect of any contract,
  
  act or costs entered into, done, omitted or incurred by her during the
  
  separation:
  PROVIDED  that where, upon any such judicial separation,
  
  alimony has been decreed or ordered to be paid to the wife, and the same is not
  
  duly paid by the husband, he shall be liable for necessaries supplied for her
  
  use:
  PROVIDED ALSO  that nothing shall prevent the wife from
  
  joining at any time during such separation, in the exercise of any joint power
  
  given to herself and her husband.