Legal provisions shouldn't be tools for extortion in matrimonial cases: Supreme Court
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the increasing misuse of strict legal provisions, including those related to dowry harassment, rape, unnatural sex, and criminal intimidation, in matrimonial disputes. A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh noted that these offences are often invoked collectively as a negotiation tool in marital conflicts, a practice condemned by the court on multiple occasions.
The bench emphasised that these laws are beneficial legislations intended for the welfare of women and should not be used as a means to intimidate or extort their husbands. "In certain cases, criminal complaints with serious allegations are used as tools to compel the husband and his family to meet demands, often monetary in nature," the court said.
It was observed that some complaints arise from emotions following marital discord, while others are part of calculated strategies devised by external stakeholders. The court also criticised the tendency of police to arrest individuals, including elderly and bedridden relatives, without adequate investigation, and trial courts for hesitating to grant bail due to the "gravity of offences" mentioned in complaints.
The court remarked that such practices escalate minor disputes into irreparable conflicts, making reconciliation impossible. "These battles of ego and reputation often result in the relationship turning irreparably sour," the bench added.
In the present case, the court granted a divorce to a couple whose marriage in 2021 (a second marriage for both) quickly deteriorated. The wife had filed cases of rape and unnatural sex against her husband and his octogenarian father. The husband, a US-based IT consultant, was briefly jailed due to the complaints.
While opposing the divorce plea, the wife sought permanent alimony, citing her husband's substantial wealth. She claimed he had a net worth of ₹5,000 crores and had previously paid ₹500 crores to his first wife as alimony.
The bench stated that alimony cannot be determined solely based on the husband's wealth or past payments to an ex-spouse. The Pune Family Court had assessed ₹10 crore as permanent alimony, which the Supreme Court upheld. Additionally, the husband was directed to pay ₹2 crore for the wife to acquire a new flat, as she was ordered to vacate properties owned by her father-in-law.
The court reiterated that a wife is entitled to maintenance commensurate with her lifestyle during the marriage but not indefinitely at the husband's current status post-separation.
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
