A sessions judge mediating a case involving a separated couple made remarks questioning the wife’s appearance, stating that she was not wearing a “bindi” or “mangalsutra” and asking why her husband would be interested in her.
Pune-based disputes lawyer Ankur R Jahagirdar shared the incident in a LinkedIn post, explaining that the couple had appeared before the judge for mediation in a domestic violence case. The judge encouraged reconciliation but made comments about the woman’s appearance, saying, “I can see that you are not wearing a mangalsutra and bindi. If you don’t behave like a married woman, why would your husband show any interest in you?”
Jahagirdar expressed concern over the lack of accountability for such remarks, stating, “There is a lot more that happens in the district courts that would shock the conscience of any rational thinking educated person. Unfortunately, I think our society has a baseline tolerance for some outrageous things.”
He also recounted another mediation where a sessions judge advised his client to be more flexible, saying, “If a woman is earning well, she will always look for a husband who earns more than her and will never settle for someone who earns less. However, if a man who earns well is looking to marry, he might even marry a maid who washes utensils in his house. Look how flexible men are. You should also show some flexibility. Don’t be so rigid.”
