Comprehension

Assume that the statements in the passages are the applicable law.
Quashing a case of cruelty that was filed against a man by his wife, the Bombay High Court said that if a married lady is asked to do household work for the family, it cannot be said that she is treated “like a maid servant”. The Court was hearing an application by the husband and his parents seeking that proceedings against them are quashed. A First Information Report (“FIR”) was filed against the trio in September 2020, around nine months after the marriage, alleging that they hounded the woman for money to purchase a car, harassed her mentally and physically and treated her like a maid servant. Examining the evidence, the Court found that there was no merit to the woman’s allegations. The Court said that though the FIR says that she was treated properly for about a month and then “like a maid servant”, there are no details of what this meant. The Court added: “If a married lady is asked to do household work for the purpose of the family, it cannot be said that it is like a maid servant.” The Court held that the mere use of the word harassment “mentally and physically” in the FIR is not sufficient to constitute an offence Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (“IPC”), which punishes the husband, or a relative of the husband of a woman who subjects her to cruelty in any way. It is interesting to note that Section 498A of the IPC also provides that if a married woman is actually treated like a ‘maid servant’, it would be an offence under that Section.
[Extracted, with edits and revisions, from “If Wife Is Asked To Do Household Work, Does Not Mean She Is Treated Like Maid: Bombay HC”, The Wire]

Question: 1

Ashwin and Ashima were married in February 2020. In March 2020, Ashwin asked Ashima to take care of all their household work, such as cooking, cleaning, and other domestic chores, as he was very busy with his professional responsibilities. Ashima claims that this amounts to treating her like a maid servant and constitutes an offence under Section 498A of the IPC. Applying the Bombay High Court decision, is she likely to succeed?

Updated On: Aug 2, 2024
  • Yes, since Ashwin had only asked Ashima to do their household work, and not for others.
  • No, since Ashwin had only asked Ashima to do their household work, and not for others.
  • Yes, since Ashwin had asked Ashima to do household work for themselves as well as others.
  • No, since treating a married woman like a maid servant would not amount to an offence under that Section.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The correct option is (B):No, since Ashwin had only asked Ashima to do their household work, and not for others .
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Question: 2

In April 2020, Ashwin’s friend Rakesh visits Ashwin and Ashima’s home, and stays with them for a few days. During his visit, he is very mean to Ashima, and uses abusive language with her. He also threw a plate at her one evening when he was unhappy with the meal that she had prepared. Ashima now claims that Rakesh has committed an offence under Section 498A of the IPC. Is she likely to succeed?

Updated On: Jul 9, 2024
  • No, since Rakesh’s actions were perfectly justifiable for a man who does not get a well-cooked meal.
  • Yes, since Rakesh’s use of abusive language and throwing the plate at Ashima clearly amount to cruelty.
  • No, since Rakesh is not her husband, nor is he related to Ashwin.
  • Yes, since Rakesh was staying at Ashwin and Ashima’s home at the time of the incident.
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The correct option is (C):No, since Rakesh is not her husband, nor is he related to Ashwin .
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Question: 3

Frustrated and upset with her marriage, Ashima applies for and is granted a divorce from Ashwin in November 2020. Since she and Ashwin had been friends for many years before they got married, she stays in touch with him. She moves into her own apartment and starts going to office regularly at a new job. Ashwin is very upset at this and starts treating Ashima very cruelly. Ashima again claims that Ashwin has committed an offence under Section 498A of the IPC. Is she right?

Updated On: Aug 4, 2024
  • Yes, since Ashwin has, as we are told, treated her cruelly
  • Yes, since Ashwin has been her husband.
  • No, since Ashwin was understandably upset at Ashima’s behaviour
  • No, since she is no longer married to Ashwin.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The correct option is (D):No, since she is no longer married to Ashwin .
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Question: 4

Assume that the government passes a new law in January 2021, called the Protection of Rights of Married Women Act, 2021 (the “PoMWA”), according to which, asking a married woman to take care of household chores would be an offence. The PoMWA also provides that if a man commits such an offence, he would have to pay compensation to the woman. The PoMWA even applies to actions that were committed any time in the three years prior to the new law coming into force, and even if the man and woman involved in the matter were no longer married. Upon hearing about this new law, Ashima once again alleges that Ashwin has committed an offence under Section 498A of the IPC, and claims compensation under the PoMWA for his actions. Is she right, and will she succeed?

Updated On: Jul 9, 2024
  • Ashima is right about Ashwin committing an offence under Section 498A of the IPC, but she will not get compensation under the PoMWA.
  • Ashima will get compensation under the PoMWA, but she is not right about Ashwin committing an offence under Section 498A of the IPC.
  • Ashima will get compensation under the PoMWA, and she is also right about Ashwin committing an offence under Section 498A of the IPC.
  • Ashima will neither get compensation under the PoMWA, nor is she right about Ashwin committing an offence under Section 498A of the IPC.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The correct option is (B): Ashima will get compensation under the PoMWA, but she is not right about Ashwin committing an offence under Section 498A of the IPC.
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Question: 5

Assume that in March 2021, the government changes Section 498A of the IPC. The effect of this change is that asking a married woman to do household chores — even for their own family — by herself would be considered cruelty, and therefore, an offence under the Section. Some days after this change comes into effect, Shamita, Ashima’s friend at work, tells her that her husband has been forcing her to do all the household work by herself. Ashima tells Shamita that her husband’s actions would amount to an offence under Section 498A of the IPC, even though Ashima herself has been unsuccessful in having Ashwin convicted under that Section in the past. Is Ashima’s advice to Shamita correct?

Updated On: Jul 9, 2024
  • Yes, since Section 498A has now been changed, and Shamita’s husband’s actions would now be an offence under the changed Section 498A.
  • No, since Ashima has been unsuccessful in having Ashwin convicted under that Section in the past.
  • Yes, since the passing of the Protection of Married Women Act has resulted in Shamita’s husband’s actions being made illegal.
  • No, since Ashima is only Shamita’s friend, and only the married woman herself can file a complaint under Section 498A of the IPC
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The correct option is (A): Yes, since Section 498A has now been changed, and Shamita’s husband’s actions would now be an offence under the changed Section 498A.
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