'You Are Not Marrying A Maid, Husband Also Must Contribute To Cooking' : Supreme Court Tells Man

In a matrimonial case where the husband is seeking divorce on the ground of cruelty, the Supreme Court today orally observed that allegations such as wife not adequately performing household chores (like cooking etc.) do not amount to cruelty.

The Court emphasized that the times have changed and the husband as well must 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.

To briefly put facts of the case, the parties got married in 2017 and have an 8-year old boy. The petitioner-husband 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. The wife appealed to the High Court, which set aside the divorce decree. Aggrieved by this decision, the husband approached the Supreme Court.