The guy had filed a revision case contesting an order of the family court in Pune, which was being heard by a single bench of Justice Bharati Dangre.
Even if a woman was qualified and had an educational degree, the court ruled she had the “option to either work or stay at home” during the hearing on Friday.
The man’s lawyer contended that the family court had “unfairly” ordered his client to pay maintenance because his estranged wife was a graduate who could work and support herself.
The man also claimed in his plea, filed through counsel Ajinkya Udane, that his estranged wife had a stable source of income at the time, but that she had concealed this fact from the court.The petitioner appealed a family court ruling requiring him to pay 5,000 per month to his wife and 7,000 per month to his 13-year-old daughter, who currently resides with her.
“Our society has not yet accepted that the woman of the household should contribute (financially). It is a woman’s choice to work. She cannot be compelled to go to work. Just because she is a graduate, does not mean she cannot sit at home,” Justice Dangre said.
“Today I am a judge of this court. Tomorrow, suppose I may sit at home. Will you then say I am qualified to be a judge and shouldn’t sit at home?” she said.
The case will be heard again by the top court next week.
