Communications during marriage

Communications made between spouses during marriage are privileged: a married or formerly married person cannot be forced or permitted to disclose what their spouse told them without that spouse's consent. The protection covers communications made during the marriage and continues after it ends. Exception: in suits between the spouses or in prosecutions where one spouse is accused of a crime against the other, the privilege does not prevent disclosure.

Meera told Ravi during their marriage that she had hidden a bank account and asked him not to tell. When Meera later sues Ravi in a suit between them over property, Ravi may be allowed or compelled to disclose that communication. If a neighbour sues Ravi in a separate case, he cannot reveal it without Meera's consent.