If your spouse keeps appearing in court but continues delaying your divorce case by not filing their written statement or counter, understanding the appropriate steps to properly address this specific pattern is genuinely important.

The first thing to understand is that your spouse's technical appearance at hearings, while genuinely required to avoid the matter proceeding ex-parte given their non-appearance, does not itself satisfy their genuine obligation to properly file their written statement within the applicable timeframe the court has directed, meaning this specific pattern of appearing without filing represents a genuinely recognisable form of procedural delay tactic worth properly addressing.

Given this specific pattern, your immediate step is having your advocate specifically bring this continued failure to file a proper written statement to the court's attention at each subsequent hearing, ensuring this pattern of non-compliance is properly and formally documented within the court's own record.

If the court has already granted your spouse multiple extensions or adjournments specifically to file this written statement, it is worth having your advocate specifically object to any further such extensions, presenting this documented pattern of repeated non-compliance as a basis for the court to properly and firmly enforce compliance, or, alternatively, to proceed with the matter without further accommodation given this genuinely demonstrated delay.

If your spouse continues to fail to file this written statement despite proper direction from the court, it is worth understanding that courts generally retain discretion to proceed with the matter treating this failure as a form of implicit denial of your specific allegations, or, in more serious cases of persistent and unexplained non-compliance, potentially proceeding in a manner similar to an ex-parte determination regarding the specific merits, even though your spouse continues to technically appear at hearings.

If this pattern appears to reflect a deliberate strategy specifically designed to prolong the litigation without genuinely engaging with the substance of your petition, it is worth ensuring your advocate specifically characterises this pattern as such before the court, since courts generally have limited patience for this kind of tactical delay, and properly framing this pattern helps the court understand the genuine nature of what is occurring.

If your spouse's advocate offers specific reasons for this continued delay, such as needing additional time to gather documentation or evidence, it is worth having your own advocate properly assess whether these reasons are genuinely credible given how much time has already elapsed, since a pattern of repeatedly citing similar reasons without genuine progress suggests these explanations may not reflect the true underlying situation.

If the court eventually loses patience with this continued pattern of delay, it is worth understanding the court retains various options, including proceeding to frame issues and move toward the evidence stage based on the assumption that your allegations are properly denied, even absent a formal written statement, or, in appropriate circumstances, imposing costs on your spouse specifically connected to this demonstrated pattern of unnecessary delay.

If this specific pattern has continued for a genuinely extended period, causing you significant hardship or delay in resolving your matter, it is worth discussing with your advocate whether this specific and persistent conduct might also become relevant context for other aspects of your case, such as how the court ultimately views the overall credibility and conduct of your spouse throughout these proceedings.

Given how genuinely frustrating this specific delay tactic can be, it is essential to consult your advocate to properly and persistently address this pattern before the court. You can reach out via Aapka Legal Advice for guidance on properly addressing your spouse's continued failure to file their written statement despite repeatedly appearing in court.

You can review Top Divorce Lawyers in India | Aapka Legal Advice for relevant experience handling procedural delay tactics in matrimonial proceedings.

Many people find real value in obtaining an independent, experienced perspective from the panel of retired judges available through certain legal consultation platforms.

If formal legal representation is required, engaging an experienced advocate who will actively and persistently address this pattern will help ensure your case progresses despite this deliberate delay.

In summary, if a spouse keeps appearing in court but delays a divorce case by not filing their written statement, appropriate steps include having your advocate specifically and repeatedly bring this pattern to the court's attention, objecting to any further extensions given this documented history of non-compliance, and pursuing whatever specific measures the court has discretion to impose given this genuinely demonstrated pattern of tactical delay, whether proceeding on the assumption that allegations are properly denied, or imposing costs specifically connected to this unnecessary and persistent delay.