Man wins divorce on grounds of cruelty, yet ordered to pay Rs 30 lakh to working wife¡ª'Are laws being used to exploit men?'

Journalist and social activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, who often highlights cases where men are exploited by India's legal system, recently shared a striking account. A man claimed that even after winning a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, he was still ordered to pay Rs 30 lakhs in alimony. This has sparked a larger debate: Why are laws designed to empower women seemingly being misused to exploit men?

Journalist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight a troubling story shared with her via WhatsApp.

In a post that quickly caught attention, she shared a screenshot of her conversation with a man who had fought a gruelling 10-year legal battle to win a divorce on the grounds of cruelty.

He fought for 10 years
Won Divorce on grounds of Cruelty
His wife earns 60K per month
He still has to pay her 30 Lacs Alimony

Laws that were made to empower women being used to disempower and exploit men

Looking at such cases we question why to ask someone to fight ? pic.twitter.com/XyOPNK66IP

¡ª Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) October 8, 2024

Despite the court ruling in his favour, and despite his ex-wife earning around Rs 60,000 per month, he was still ordered to pay Rs 30 lakhs in alimony.

Bhardwaj voiced her concerns, pointing out a growing issue in India¡¯s legal system: "Laws that were made to empower women being used to disempower and exploit men."

Her post has sparked widespread debate about whether certain legal protections are being misused, leaving men unfairly burdened even in cases where they are the victims.

How did people respond?

In comments, many users raised questions about the fairness of the ruling and whether it could be challenged.

"But why can't such decisions be challenged or taken up pro bono in the Supreme Court? Is it simply because, in our country, justice moves slowly?" one person asked.

Another expressed disbelief, stating, "How exactly is he the one who won the case if this is the final verdict? This is an absolute joke."

One user shared their own change of perspective: "I am giving preference to working women for my matrimonial alliances, so in case of mishappening I don't need to pay alimony to her. But now I think it's futile to think in that way."

Another commenter questioned the entire process: "What is the use after 10yrs getting divorce. He might have paid interim as well for these 10yrs, lawyer's fees etc etc after that also rs 30 lacs settlement. Why these divorce law exists?"

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