Wife not a chattel in husband’s hands: HC (opens original article in a new tab)

Orissa High Court ruled that a wife cannot be treated as her husband's property, dismissed a habeas corpus petition, and imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on the petitioner for misuse of legal procedures in matrimonial disputes.

• Orissa High Court dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a man seeking his wife's release from alleged illegal detention
• The court ruled that a wife cannot be treated as her husband's property and is free to decide her living arrangements
• The court imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on the petitioner and directed it to be deposited with the State Legal Services Authority for juvenile welfare
• The court criticized the misuse of habeas corpus petitions in matrimonial disputes to settle personal scores and exert pressure