The Delhi High Court declined to provide anticipatory bail to a man facing accusations of physically and sexually assaulting his wife. The court highlighted how the case sheds light on the distressing transformation of marriage into a platform for unbridled control and privilege, particularly favoring the husband with unquestioned authority.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma criticized the prevailing "societal mindset" that perceives women as mere objects for manipulation and exploitation. She emphasized the need for a stringent approach in dealing with the current accused.

In the current case, the woman accused her husband of subjecting her to mental, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as demanding dowry.

Additionally, it was alleged that the man recorded objectionable videos of his wife.

"The specific incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse recounted in this case unveil a troubling reality—one where marriage is distorted into a vessel for unchecked dominance and entitlement. Embedded within this warped perception is the dangerous belief that the marital bond grants unchecked authority to the husband, transforming his wife into a mere object to be wielded at will," the court said in a recent order.

"The depiction of the victim as a commodity underscores a deeply ingrained societal perspective that regards women as possessions to be manipulated, exploited, and discarded at whim," declared the court.

The court observed that the woman's allegations were neither ambiguous nor lacking in detail. A thorough examination of the evidence indicated a consistent pattern of abuse and exploitation inflicted by her husband, illustrating a clear disregard for her welfare and autonomy.

The court noted the severity of the offense and condemned the accused man's "mindset" that he had the right to subject his wife to sexual, physical, and economic abuse. Such behavior, the court emphasized, directly contradicts the fundamental principles underlying the laws of this country.

The court expressed profound concern over the victim being consistently labeled and degraded, likened to a mere cow exploited for milking or a golden hen expected to produce valuable eggs. Such degrading treatment endured by the victim underscores a systemic problem of objectification and exploitation of women within certain societal structures.

The man asserted that he had been wrongfully accused and contended that his wife fabricated a false narrative because she did not wish to remain with him.

Dismissing the argument, the court highlighted a concerning trend where a woman's financial independence is used against her, with the notion that she is less inclined to live with her husband and in-laws. This conveniently masks instances of physical, mental, sexual, and economic abuse she may endure.