The Madhya Pradesh High Court hailed a woman as the “ideal Indian wife” for staying with her in-laws for nearly two decades after her husband deserted her. The court rejected the husband’s divorce plea, calling his allegations false and appreciating the wife’s endurance and respect for marital duties.
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JABALPUR: The Madhya Pradesh High Court praised a woman as the “ideal Indian wife” rooted in Dharma, after she continued to live with her in-laws for almost 20 years despite her husband abandoning her.
A Division Bench of Justices Vivek Rusia and Binod Kumar Dwivedi remarked that the woman showed unwavering loyalty as the “typical Indian woman” by putting all her efforts into saving her family life.
The Court observed that, according to Hindu belief, marriage is not just a legal contract but “a sacred, eternal and indissoluble union” and “an ideal Indian wife” continues to embody strength, dignity, and virtue.
Her conduct, the judges said, is
“Rooted in dharma, cultural values and the sanctity of the marital bond even when deserted by her husband.”
The Bench further noted:
“She [the wife] does not use her sufferings for gain of sympathy, instead she channeled it inward, reflecting the Hindu ideal of the woman as Shakti – not weak, but submissive and powerful in her endurance and grace. Even when she left alone, she does not forsake, the Mangalsutra, the Sindoor or the symbols of her marriage status as her marriage to her is not a contract, but a Sanskara – an indelible sacrament.”
These remarks came while hearing an appeal filed by the husband against a trial court’s refusal to grant him divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act on grounds of cruelty and desertion.
The husband had alleged that since their marriage in 1998, his wife disliked him, accused him of drinking, and suspected him of having illicit relationships.
He claimed she showed no interest in married life, avoided living with him at his postings, and refused cohabitation and marital duties. He argued that they had been living separately since 2006.
However, the wife completely denied the allegations, calling them false. She told the Court that her husband was inventing stories to get rid of her.
She maintained that she was always ready to fulfil her duties as a wife and daughter-in-law, and continued to live with her in-laws even when her husband chose not to take her along.
She further said he developed a relationship with another woman and filed for divorce only when questioned about it.
The wife also stressed that she had never abandoned her matrimonial home, never filed any criminal cases, and never acted with revenge towards her husband. She said she always respected her marital responsibilities and cared for her father-in-law and mother-in-law.
After reviewing the evidence, the High Court said the wife had not given up her responsibilities as an Indian bahu. She chose to stay in her matrimonial home not only to maintain her dignity but also to serve her in-laws. The judges found the husband’s allegations to be false and fabricated.
The Court observed:
“In the instant case even after deserted by husband neither the respondent/wife has chosen to leave the matrimonial home nor she has filed any criminal case against the appellant/husband making allegations which might have ruined career and life of the appellant, in itself proves the level of tolerance, respectful and helpful attitude of respondent/wife towards his husband/appellant. Respondent/wife has revealed her strong determination and character which a typical Indian woman/wife has.”
Finding no proof of cruelty or desertion on the part of the wife, the Court held that it was the husband who had committed cruelty by abandoning her without justification.
- Advocate Sameer Verma appeared for the appellant-husband
- Advocate Pramod C Nair represented the respondent-wife.
CASE TITLE:
SC v SSC
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