Woman wanting to work after marriage is not torture on husband, rules Bombay High Court

Ta he Bombay High Court has dismissed a divorce petition by ruling that a wife desiring to work after marriage does not amount to cruelty (to the husband) under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act.

The Nagpur Bench of Justices Atul Chandurkar and Urmila Joshi-Phalke passed the order on a petition filed by one Pundlik Martandrao Yevatkar, who alleged that his wife Shubhangi picked up fights with him, stating that she wanted to work and also threatened him that she would not beget a child till she secured a job.

The High Court directed the husband to prove that the conduct of his wife had made it difficult for him to lead life with her. It said the petitioner had not adduced the evidence regarding the time and manner in which he was harassed.

As per the bench, the allegations made by the husband fell under routine wear and tear in nature. The marital life should be accessed as a whole and few isolated instances over a certain period do not amount to cruelty, it noted.

The High Court pointed out that the allegation levelled by Yevatkar that his wife aborted her pregnancy without his consent was also wrong, since the woman had refused to take tuition classes owing to her pregnancy and thus, was prepared to take the responsibility of the child.