Kochi : Criticizing a Thrissur family court order, Kerala High Court Chief Justice Devan Ramachandran opined that women are not subservient to their mothers or mothers-in-law and are fully capable of making their own decisions. Justice Devan Ramachandran made this statement while considering a petition filed by a female doctor from Kottarakkara who requested the transfer of her divorce case from the Kottarakkara Family Court to Thalassery.
The Thrissur Family Court had initially dismissed the first petition filed by the Kottarakkara resident. Subsequently, the woman turned to the Kottarakkara court. The Thrissur family court rejected the petition, suggesting that the parties should resolve their differences and appreciate the sanctity of marriage by living together. The High Court criticized the Family Court’s stance as patriarchal and not in line with contemporary thinking.
The family court had directed the petitioner to heed her mother and mother-in-law. The husband argued in the High Court that these issues could be resolved outside of court, but the High Court dismissed all of his arguments. The single bench emphasized that women are not subservient to their mothers or mothers-in-law, and their decisions should be respected. The court questioned whether she is being coerced into arbitration. The High Court declared that it could only enable the petitioner to make her own choices and recognized her autonomy, allowing her case to be transferred to the Thalassery court.
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