The Court was hearing a revision petition filed by a man working as a coolie against a family court order directing him to pay ₹9,000 per month to his estranged wife and their daughter.

While the wife had sought maintenance of ₹30,000, the family court had granted an amount of ₹9,000.

Before the High Court, the husband submitted that his wife did not take care of his parents and do the household work.

He went on to say she had gone to her parents’ house without his permission too many times.

The wife alleged that she was assaulted, abused and left injured by the husband and his family.

The court observed that the husband’s submissions made it seem like he was an employer and the wife was like his employee.




The Court said that a husband could not compel or force his wife to forgo her autonomy and right to make decisions relating to her career and finances.

“Marriage is not a license to control, command, dominate or conquer the individuality, freedom and will of the other party,” the Court said, adding that a wife’s devotion to her family could not be judged by her submissiveness or obedience.

Justice Chillakur Sumalatha said that wives cannot be expected to solely do household work.

“This Court does not understand why an Indian woman is required to take permission of all present at her matrimonial home to fulfil her basic desire of visiting her parents house as and when she wish and feels to go. This Court is of the view that anyone including husband cannot command and demand any female including his wife to do the household activities and to look after, his parents.”

It thus refused to modify the maintenance granted to the wife by the family court.




NOW THE QUESTION IS- WHAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A WOMAN IN A MARRIAGE?

IF SHE CAN DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS TO WITHOUT BEING RESPONSIBLE OR ACCOUNTABLE, THEN WHAT’S HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE MARRIAGE?

IS IT ONLY A HUSBANDS’ RESPONSIBILITY TO RUN A HOUSEHOLD OR MAINTAIN A MARRIAGE?