Shouldn't overlook challenges faced by men...equality should be in truest sense: Karnataka High Court

Justice Chillakur Sumalatha said equality should not come at the cost of either gender.

The Karnataka High Court.

Credit: DH File Photo

Bengaluru: Equality should be in its truest sense and not at the expense of either gender. However admirable our efforts to safeguard women may be, we should not overlook the challenges encountered by men in our society, the Karnataka High Court has said in a recent judgement.

Justice Chillakur Sumalatha said this while dismissing a petition filed by the wife seeking direction to transfer the matrimonial case filed by her husband from the Narasimharajapura in Chikkamagalur district to a court in Hosanagara in Shivamogga district, where she is residing.

The petitioner woman had claimed that the distance between her place of residence and Narasimharajapura is around 130 Kms. She had filed the petition under Civil Procedure Code (CPC) section 24 seeking transfer of the case.

On the other hand, the husband opposed the petition claiming that two children are with him and that he has to cook food, feed them and send them to school.

Justice Chillakur Sumalatha refused to grant the relief sought by the wife.

"Keeping aside the allegations laid against each other, the inconvenience which the respondent-husband would face to attend the court would be more than that of the petitioner-wife as the respondent-husband is taking care of the children and the children are under his custody," Justice Sumalatha said.

The court further said, "Constitutionally, a female has got equal rights as that of a male. As a matter of fact, women are the primary victims in most situations, but that does not mean that men are not affected by the cruelty of women. Therefore, there is necessity for a gender-neutral society. Such a society aims at preventing the separation of duties according to sex or gender. It will focus on equal treatment of men and women both in domestic affairs and work places. Equality should be in its truest sense and not at the expense of either gender. However admirable our efforts to safeguard women may be, we should not overlook the challenges encountered by men in our society."