K’taka HC rules wife involved in adultery cannot demand maintenance under domestic violence act
Bengaluru: In a recent judgment, the Karnataka High Court ruled that a wife engaged in an adulterous relationship cannot claim maintenance from her husband under Section 12 of the Domestic Violence Act.
Justice Rajendra Badamikar, presiding over a single-judge bench, delivered the verdict, rejecting the revision petition filed by the wife in an attempt to overturn the Magistrate court's maintenance order.
The case centered around the wife's application under Section 12 of the Act, where she sought financial support, citing her legal marital status. However, compelling evidence presented in court established her extramarital affair with a neighbor. In response, the husband contested her plea, asserting that the wife had abandoned their matrimonial home to live with her paramour, thereby forfeiting her entitlement to maintenance.
Initially, the Magistrate court had granted a protection order under Section 18 of the Act, awarding the wife Rs. 1,500 as maintenance, along with Rs. 1,000 for rent allowance and an additional Rs. 5,000 as compensation. Dissatisfied with this decision, the husband approached the Sessions court, which subsequently set aside the Magistrate's order.
Justice Badamikar, in his detailed judgment, remarked, "The oral and documentary evidence produced clearly establishes that the petitioner is not honest towards her husband and she has extramarital affairs with the neighbor. When the petitioner is engaged in adultery, the question of her claiming maintenance does not arise at all."
The court underlined that the wife's conduct, engaging in an adulterous relationship, invalidated her claim for maintenance despite her legal marriage status. Justice Badamikar emphasized, "The learned Magistrate has failed to appreciate any of these aspects and, in a mechanical way, awarded the maintenance and compensation, which is a perverse order. The learned Sessions judge has re-appreciated the oral and documentary evidence and has rightly rejected the claim of the petitioner in view of the fact that she was leading an adulterous life."
This ruling sets a significant legal precedent, emphasizing the importance of honesty and fidelity in domestic relationships when seeking legal redress under the Domestic Violence Act.
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US rules out use of nuclear weapons against Iran
Washington DC: The White House has reportedly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, even as uncertainty continues over ongoing peace negotiations and a deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches.
Issues bout a possible escalation had increased after US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” in dealing with Iran.
His remarks came amid rising tensions and ahead of a deadline linked to peace efforts.
The situation has attracted attention as Trump warned Iran that its “whole civilization will die tonight tonight” if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday at 8 pm.
This statement led to speculation about the possibility of extreme military measures, including a nuclear strike.
Following Vance’s comments, the White House issued a clarification distancing itself from such interpretations. In a post on X, it said, "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." In a later statement, it added that “only the president knows” what action will be taken regarding Iran.
Literally nothing @VP said here "implies" this, you absolute buffoons https://t.co/7JU3wXMaWX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
