Restitution of conjugal rights is a legal relief available to spouses who are distressed in their marriage due to the deliberate withdrawal of one party from cohabitation. It is a right that allows a spouse to legally compel the other to resume living together, provided that the separation has no reasonable justification.

Cohabitation is a fundamental expectation in marriage. If one spouse refuses to live with the other without valid cause, the aggrieved party can approach the court under applicable laws, such as the Hindu Marriage Act, to seek restitution of conjugal rights.

The petitioner must establish that:

1. There is a valid marriage between the parties.
2. The respondent has withdrawn from the company of the petitioner without reasonable cause.
3. There is no legal ground that prevents the court from granting such relief.

Common valid reasons for withdrawal by a spouse may include continuous demands for dowry, physical or mental cruelty, and other forms of mistreatment. In the absence of such justifications, the desertion can be legally challenged.

The petition must be filed in a civil court that has jurisdiction based on:

1. Where both parties last resided together.
2. Where they currently reside (if together).
3. Where the marriage was legally solemnized.

Once the decree is passed, the spouse who abandoned the relationship is legally ordered to resume cohabitation with the aggrieved party. This legal remedy is available only to the deserted spouse and acts as a positive step toward reconciliation.

If the guilty spouse fails to comply with the decree of restitution for a continuous period of one year, the aggrieved party may then use this as a valid ground for filing a divorce petition. In addition, this decree enables the petitioner to file for maintenance, if required.

Thus, restitution of conjugal rights is both a reconciliatory and legally enforceable measure to preserve the marital bond, offering an opportunity to resolve conflicts within the framework of law.