Is verbal abuse alone enough to file a cruelty case against my husband?

Yes — cruelty as recognised by courts isn't limited to physical violence. Sustained, serious mental cruelty — including persistent humiliation, insults (especially in front of others), threats, and a pattern of demeaning behaviour — has repeatedly been recognised by courts as a valid ground for divorce on the basis of cruelty.

What matters is whether the conduct, viewed as a whole and in the context of your specific relationship, is serious and sustained enough that it becomes genuinely intolerable to continue living together — an isolated argument or occasional harsh word typically wouldn't meet this bar on its own, but a consistent, ongoing pattern generally would.

If you're also considering a criminal complaint for cruelty under the specific provision dealing with cruelty by husband or relatives, that similarly doesn't require physical violence — conduct likely to cause grave injury or drive a person to suicide, including sustained mental cruelty, can qualify. Keeping a record of specific incidents, dates, and any witnesses will help strengthen whichever route you decide to pursue with your advocate.