SC notes husband "in complete control of his parents", directs him to live separately with wife, daughter

Taking a rather unconventional view, the Supreme Court recently directed a husband to reside separately with his wife and daughter after noting that the root cause of disputes in the matrimonial life of the couple was the interference of the parents of the husband.

Notably, Supreme Court on December 3 took up the matter in the Committee Room, where it had a talk with the husband and thereafter with the wife. It also had a talk with the mother of the husband and the parents of the wife. Court also had a brief interaction with the minor daughter named Garima Verma aged 9 years, studying in 4th standard.

Prima facie, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Vishwanathan noted, the root cause of disputes in the matrimonial life of the couple seemed to be the interference of the parents of the husband. "Otherwise, wife has love and affection for her husband. She respects her husband. What we have been able to gather is that the husband is in complete control of his parents and is unable to take any independent decision, as a result, the wife is being ignored including the nine year daughter", the bench further found.

After talking to all parties concerned, the bench reached to the conclusion that the husband, wife and their daughter should start residing separately on the first floor of the house. If any arrangements are to be made, it is the responsibility of the husband to do so, it further ordered.

"This is our order. The husband cannot say that he would not shift to the first floor", the bench warned in its order.

"Let this arrangement continue for at least 3 months from today. We make it clear that if the parents of the wife would like to see their grand-daughter, it is always open for them to visit the house and talk to their granddaughter. At the same time, we also expect the wife to take care of her in-laws in case they fall sick or any other domestic help is required on day-to-day basis. Parties have broadly agreed to the aforesaid arrangement. We expect the parties to abide by our order and do not create any further trouble for each other", it further ordered.

Court was further taken aback to note that the wife was pregnant. In such circumstances, the bench said it expects the husband to take utmost care of his wife and see to it that all medical facilities are provided to her including periodical visits to the Gynecologist.

We do not want any trouble at the end of the in-laws of the wife, it added.

"We direct the brothers of the wife as well as the parents to ensure that they do not create any trouble in the marital life of the couple. All proceedings pending between the parties, civil and criminal, shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing", it further ordered.

Case Title: DEVENDRA VERMA vs. KIRAN VERMA @DALESHWARI KASHYAP & ANR.

Order Date: December 3, 2025

Bench: Justices Pardiwala and Vishwanathan