The state high court recently ruled that marriage does not grant one partner the authority to control or dominate the other. In its decision, the court emphasized that a husband cannot dictate his wife’s movements, lifestyle choices, or compel her to perform household duties or care for his parents. This landmark ruling reinforces the importance of individual freedom and autonomy within marital relationships.
The court added that any attempt to restrict a woman’s autonomy was “contrary to equality, human dignity and social justice.”
Court Upholds Maintenance Order Amidst Controversial Claims
Justice Chillakur Sumalatha of the High Court dismissed a revision petition on August 3 from a man challenging a family court’s decision that mandated he pay ₹9,000 monthly in maintenance to his wife and minor daughter.
The court criticized the man’s assertion that his wife left their home to visit her parents without his or his parents’ permission. Justice Sumalatha questioned the necessity of a married woman seeking permission to visit her family, stating, “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 wishes and feels to go.”
The judge highlighted that the man’s claims reflected a mindset aiming to control his wife’s behavior and desires. The court emphasized that a wife’s commitment to her family should not be equated with obedience. “Marriage is not a relationship between unequals,” it remarked.
The man, who claimed to support his parents through physical labor, sought to reduce the maintenance payments of ₹5,000 for his wife and ₹4,000 for their daughter. However, the court found no valid grounds to alter the Family Court’s ruling.
