Supreme Court condemns Bombay HC verdict calling women "illegitimate wife"

The Supreme Court criticized Bombay High Court which used misogynistic language to describe a woman whose marriage was declared void.

The High Court referred to her as an “illegitimate wife” and a “faithful mistress. The Supreme Court noted that such language violated Article 21 of the  Consitution of India,  which protects dignity and rights.

The court also condemned the language used by Bombay High Court  in 2004 judgment in Bhausaheb alias Sandhu vs. Leelabai case. 

The Supreme Court also mentioned its Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes, which helps judges and lawyers identify and avoid gender bias in legal cases.