Yes, an ex-parte divorce decree passed in Chennai can potentially be set aside even after several years in certain circumstances, though this becomes progressively more challenging as time passes, since Indian civil procedure generally requires applications to set aside ex-parte decrees to be filed within a reasonable limitation period, though courts retain some flexibility where genuine and compelling reasons for the delay can be demonstrated.

Under Order IX Rule 13 of the Code of Civil Procedure, an application to set aside an ex-parte decree must typically be filed within thirty days of the decree, or from when the affected party gained knowledge of it, but courts can condone delay beyond this period under Section 5 of the Limitation Act if sufficient cause is shown, such as the affected party genuinely being unaware of the proceedings due to defective service, fraud, or other circumstances beyond their reasonable control.

To succeed in setting aside a years-old ex-parte decree, you would need to present compelling evidence explaining both why you were unaware of the original proceedings and why you only recently discovered the decree, along with demonstrating that had you been properly served or aware, you would have had a genuine defence or position to present that could have affected the outcome. Courts scrutinise such applications carefully, since finality in matrimonial matters is also an important consideration.

Given the significant challenge of successfully setting aside a long-standing ex-parte decree, it is essential to consult experienced family law counsel promptly upon discovering such a decree to assess your realistic prospects and build the strongest possible application explaining the delay. Consulting the team at Aapka Legal Advice can help you evaluate and pursue this challenging but potentially achievable remedy in Chennai.

Given the high evidentiary threshold required to overcome years of delay, obtaining a second opinion from a retired judge on the genuine viability of your specific case can help you make an informed decision about pursuing this difficult remedy. Chennai's experienced family law advocates and retired judges, listed at Aapka Legal Advice's Chennai divorce lawyer directory, regularly assist with these challenging delayed applications.

In conclusion, an ex-parte divorce decree passed in Chennai can potentially be set aside even after several years, but only where compelling evidence justifies both the original non-appearance and the significant delay in seeking relief, making this a genuinely challenging but not impossible remedy