You are not marrying a maid; you're marrying a life partner: SC tells Karnataka man seeking divorce
You have to equally participate in cooking, cleaning, washing, and everything. Today's times are different, SC tells Karnataka man, seeking divorce on ground of cruelty
"You are not marrying a maid. You are marrying a life partner,” the Supreme Court on Friday told a Karnataka man who wanted a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, alleging his wife did not perform household chores, such as cooking, cleaning, and washing.
"You have to contribute in cooking, washing, etc… Today's times are different,” a bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta told the man, who has challenged a Karnataka High Court’s order setting aside a decree of divorce granted to him by the trial court on the ground of cruelty.
The bench noted that allegations such as a wife not adequately performing household chores do not necessarily amount to cruelty.
The bench, which had earlier sent the couple for mediation to find an amicable solution to the matrimonial dispute, asked them to appear before it in person on the next date of hearing, as the mediation failed to yield any positive outcome.
Married in 2017, the couple has an eight-year-old boy from the wedlock. The husband, a government school teacher, initiated divorce proceedings, alleging that right from the beginning of the marriage, the attitude of his wife, a lecturer, was not positive, and she mistreated him.
She used filthy language against him and his parents, refused to cook food for them, and gave birth to their child, but did not invite him to the cradle ceremony, he alleged.
Denying the husband’s allegations, the wife submitted that she went to her parents' house for the birth of the child with her husband and in-laws’ consent.
The wife submitted that she’s better placed than her husband and that she has not demanded any maintenance/alimony so far.
Despite the fact that her husband and in-laws didn’t attend the child’s cradle ceremony and demanded cash and gold from her parents, and forced her to part with her salary.
Allowing the husband's plea, the family court granted a decree of divorce to the man on the grounds of cruelty.
However, on an appeal filed by the wife, the Karnataka High Court set aside the decree of divorce, forcing the husband to move the top court.
