Wife calling husband dark-skinned amounts to cruelty, says Karnataka HC granting divorce to couple
Bengaluru (PTI): The High Court of Karnataka has said that insulting a man for being dark-skinned by his wife constitutes cruelty as it underlined this as a strong reason for allowing his appeal and granted him divorce.
The HC stated this, in a recent judgement, while granting divorce to a 44-year-old man from his 41-year-old wife.
The evidence on record, from close scrutiny, also leads to the conclusion that the wife used to insult the husband on the premise that he is dark and for the same reason has moved away from the company of the husband without any cause, the court noted.
"To cover up this aspect, (she) has levelled false allegations of illicit relationships against the husband. These facts certainly will constitute cruelty," the HC said while allowing the petition for dissolution of the marriage under Section 13(i)(a) of the Hindu Marriage Act.
The couple from Bengaluru got married in 2007 and had a girl child. In 2012, the husband approached a family court in Bengaluru seeking divorce.
His appeal was heard by the division bench of Justices Alok Aradhe and Anant Ramanath Hegde, which gave the judgment.
"It is the case of the husband that the wife used to humiliate him on the pretext that he is dark-skinned. He has further stated that the husband used to bear insult for the sake of the child," the HC noted.
She had also filed a case under Section 498A (subjecting a married woman to cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code against her husband and in-laws.
The woman also filed a case under the Domestic Violence Act and left with the child to live with her parents.
She had denied the allegations in the family court and in turn alleged that it was the husband and his family members who were ill-treating her and subjecting her to cruelty.
She alleged that they demanded dowry from her and did not allow her to go out with her child. She also alleged that her husband had an illicit relationship with another woman and had a child with her.
The family court had dismissed the husband's petition for divorce in 2017 after which he approached the HC, which pronounced the verdict recently.
The HC said that the allegations levelled against the husband that he is having an illicit relationship with a lady is totally unfounded and baseless as well as reckless.
"This allegation made in paragraph No.10 of the statement of objections is serious. If such an allegation is made in the pleading, it can be certainly concluded that the person against whom such allegation is made will be subject to enormous mental cruelty. This fact has not been appreciated by the Family Court at all."
The HC also said that calling him dark amounted to cruelty.
"It is further stated that the wife has not made any attempt to join the company of the husband to come back and the evidence on record would establish that she was not interested in the marriage because of the dark complexion of the husband. By referring to these contentions, it is urged that the Family Court ought to have granted a decree for the dissolution of marriage," the HC said setting aside the family court order.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
WAVES 2025: India’s Leap Towards Global Creative Leadership
_vb_11.jpeg)
India has always excelled in the art of storytelling, captivating generations with its timeless epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Our narratives extend beyond stories and serve as cultural cornerstones, shaping how we perceive the world, express creativity, and inspire generations of artists and visionaries. This inherent passion for storytelling has evolved into a powerful creative aspiration—one that is now driving India’s emergence as a global media powerhouse.
The inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), from 1st to 4th May 2025, places India at the centre stage of global creativity. Conceptualized under Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s leadership, WAVES is a transformative movement that will redefine the media and entertainment (M&E) landscape. As India’s M&E industry nears INR 2.7 trillion, WAVES 2025 signals our intent to lead in creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
India’s content creation landscape has transformed from traditional media to a thriving digital-first ecosystem, expanding global connections through streaming services, social media, and emerging technologies. Government initiatives like incentives for foreign film production in India, coproduction agreements and Film Facilitation Office (FFO) strengthen India’s standing as a preferred destination for global creators.
Transforming the Media and Entertainment landscape
WAVES 2025 represents the dawn of a new era for India’s media and entertainment industry. By bringing together innovators, policymakers, artists, and industry leaders from across the globe, the summit fosters an environment of collaboration that will reshape how entertainment is created, distributed, and experienced.
Central to this transformation are initiatives like WAVEX 2025 and WAVES Bazaar. WAVEX 2025 empowers startups working in emerging technologies such as gaming, animation, extended reality (XR), generative AI, and next-gen content platforms. This initiative creates a launchpad for startups to showcase their ideas, receive mentorship, and secure funding through interactions with venture capitalists and celebrity angel investors. On the other hand, WAVES Bazaar serves as a dynamic e-marketplace designed to connect creators, buyers, and sellers. With over 5,500 buyers, 2,000 sellers, and 1,000 registered projects spanning film, television, gaming, advertising, and more, the Bazaar is a space for seamless collaboration and opportunity discovery. AI-powered matchmaking ensures that projects and professionals find the right connections, fostering innovation and driving growth in the creative economy. These platforms are more than event-driven—they are transformative ecosystems that will continue to impact the M&E sector long after WAVES concludes. This will be another milestone in India’s digital public infrastructure.
A golden platform for India’s youth
India’s youth—our greatest demographic advantage—stand to benefit profoundly from the WAVES initiative. With an average age of 29, India is not only the youngest country in the world but also the most vibrant when it comes to creativity and innovation. WAVES 2025 places the youth at the forefront of its vision, creating pathways for skill development, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration.
The Create in India Challenge is an example of this commitment. With around 1,00,000 registrations including over 1,100 international participants, the challenge has attracted a diverse pool of talent eager to showcase their creativity. The finalists, now part of CreatoSphere, will receive unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry leaders, attend masterclasses, and gain global exposure.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai marks a monumental investment in the future of India’s youth. As a global centre of excellence for skill development and innovation, IICT will bridge the gap between creativity and technology, ensuring that young Indians have the expertise to meet the rising demands of the M&E industry.
Global collaboration for sustainable growth
The summit will also feature Global Media Dialogue, bringing together an unprecedented gathering of global leaders, policymakers, artists, and industry professionals. This dialogue is not just about discussions; it is about action—developing strategies for international collaboration, ethical practices, and innovation. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s scheduled interactions with CEOs and industry stakeholders are expected to set the tone for impactful partnerships that will benefit India for years to come.
A vision for Viksit Bharat
WAVES 2025 is not just an event—it is a leap toward realizing India’s vision of Viksit Bharat, a developed nation leading the world in creativity and innovation. By promoting diversity, advancing technology, and empowering youth, WAVES WAVES 2025 positions India as a talent hub capable of sustainable development in the creative economy.
WAVES 2025 is a reinforcement of the endless possibilities that the creative industry has to offer. It is an opportunity to showcase its unmatched talent, technological prowess, and cultural richness. It is a testament to India’s vision to redefine the global creative ecosystem through the confluence of tradition and technology.
