Wife Is Always Right, Hum Sab Bhuktbhogi Hain: Supreme Court Judge Markandey Katju During Divorce Case In 2009

This matrimonial proceeding at the Supreme Court pertains from the year 2009.

Feminist groups and women empowerment NGOs will often spread the narrative of patriarchy within the judicial system, and how that patriarchal mindset leaves women without justice. However, ground reality is far from one presumes, and online activists must visit matrimonial proceedings at court someday, rather than merely posting anti-men posts on social media daily. 

Here’s What Had Happened!

Supreme Court was in the mood of giving some “tips” to the husband embroiled in a matrimonial battle on how to live a happy married life. The top court then said,

Do what the wife tells you and never question her authority.

The words of wisdom came from two judges — Justices Markandey Katju and Deepak Verma — during the inconclusive hearing of a 17-year-old divorce litigation between a serving Lieutenant Colonel and his wife.

Case:

The vacation Bench comprising these two judges asked the counsel whether there was any scope of compromise between the two and both in unison gave different reasons to say that there was no possibility for a happy ending to their dispute.

The wife’s counsel said that the Rs 10 lakh offered by the husband for complete settlement of the dispute and divorce, was too little as it was not easy to bring up a teenaged daughter. She was married in 1991 and was allegedly thrown out of the house in 1992 after which he had moved the court for divorce.

Trial Court & High Court

While the trial court dismissed his divorce plea, the HC had allowed judicial separation. But on her appeal against this order, a division Bench of the HC had granted divorce to him. After 17-years of living apart, the wife termed this order as erroneous, and thus had moved the apex court.

Husband’s Version

The husband had an altogether different story to tell. According to him, she had filed several criminal cases against him that included charges like:

He takes bath like a dog’ and he commits sodomy.

The counsel said he had fought the cases for over 17-years and had been exonerated of all charges. He added,

He has been ruined financially and professionally, but still wanted to settle by giving Rs 10 lakh to her for a divorce.

Justice Katju, who had spoken with Men’s Day Out last year (interview below), while adjourning hearing on the case in 2009, decided that it was time for the husband to get a few tips from him about how to lead a happy married life. Much to the amusement of the lawyers who were waiting their turn to argue their case before the vacation Bench, Justice Katju said,

You should always agree with her. When you agree to what she says, you will always remain happy. If she tells you to look this way, do that. And if she tells you the next moment to look the other way, again do that.

And to convince, Supreme Court judge added,

We are talking from experience (Hum sab bhuktbhogi hain).

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