Marriage Does Not Give Husband Absolute Power, and Wife’s Tolerance Is Not Consent to Abuse: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court held that marriage does not bestow a husband with unquestioned authority over his wife and that a woman’s endurance of marital difficulties cannot be construed as silent acceptance of mistreatment.

Justice L. Victoria Gowri observed that a husband’s obligation to ensure his wife’s comfort, safety, and dignity is intrinsic to the marital bond and not a secondary duty.

The Court underscored that mutual respect and equality are the cornerstones of marriage, rejecting patriarchal notions of spousal dominance in modern relationships.