Not a maid: SC says wife skipping chores doesn’t amount to cruelty
In a matrimonial case where a husband was seeking divorce on the ground of cruelty, the Supreme Court on Friday orally observed that allegations such as wife not adequately performing household chores such as cooking, laundry, cleaning etc do not amount to cruelty. The Court emphasised that times have changed and husbands must also contribute to such affairs. “You’re not marrying a maid, you’re marrying a life partner”, remarked Justice Sandeep Mehta.
“You have to contribute in this cooking, washing, etc. Today’s times are different,” added Justice Vikram Nath. On the next date, the parties have been asked to appear in person. Earlier, the Court had referred the parties for mediation, but the same failed. The parties got married in 2017 and have an 8-year old boy. The husband is a Government school teacher and the wife a college lecturer. As per submissions made during the hearing, she is better placed than the husband and has not demanded any maintenance/alimony so far.
The petitioner-husband had initiated divorce proceedings, alleging that only a week after marriage, the respondent-wife’s attitude changed and she started mistreating him. As per his claims, 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 for the cradle ceremony.
The wife, on the other hand, claimed that she went to her parents’ house for the birth of the child with the petitioner and his family’s consent, however they did not attend the cradle ceremony and demanded cash and gold from her parents. She also claimed that she was forced to part with her salary. The Family Court allowed the husband’s plea and granted a decree of divorce on the ground of cruelty.
