Karnataka high court’s “radically pro-family” judge K Bhaktavatsala told woman defending her husband’s divorce petition that she must “adjust” to domestic abuse meted out by her husband because such abuse was the norm, reported a number of newspapers. The 59-year-old judge has been serving in the high court since 2004.

A Mumbai-based human rights activist instituted an online petition addressed to the Chief Justice of India to remove Bhaktavatsala from the roster at the high court.

“This is why long ago I made the policy of not signing online petitions,” tweeted Legally India blogger courtwitness1 adding that while he condemns Bhaktavatsala’s remarks, the mandate for his removal lies with chief justice of the Karnataka high court and not the CJI.

And now, Justice Bhaktavatsala, in his own reported words:

Your husband is doing good business, he will take care of you. Why are you still talking about his beatings? I know you have undergone pain. But that is nothing in front of what you undergo as a woman. I have not undergone such pain. But madam (Justice BS Indrakala) has.

Ask your father if he has never beaten your mother!

You have to adjust. Are you just behind money? There is nothing in your case to argue on merits. You have to give him a divorce or go with him. Have you read about actor Darshan. He spent 30 days in jail after beating his wife. But they are living together now. What is on your mind and what is on your agenda?

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Recommend! +0 Objection! -0 Haha 2012-09-05 17:27
lol...this was a good read
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Recommend! +1 Objection! -0 Asha 2012-09-06 15:34
What was so 'good read' about it? It was Pathetic to say the least.
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Recommend! +0 Objection! -0 The Law Firm Lawyer 2012-09-05 17:45
OMG! OMG OMG OMG!!! I can't believe these were his words. Since when have judges started preaching male chauvinism? I am fainting already. Where is India heading to? Where is law in this observation? I need to read the full judgment.
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Recommend! +0 Objection! -0 Asha 2012-09-06 15:37
Exactly where is this country going if this is what a HC Judge can say and bet you he will get away with it too
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Recommend! +0 Objection! -0 Advocate 2012-09-05 17:53
"Ask your father if he has never beaten your mother!"

-----HUH??!! Is this a really late foul April Fools' Day joke or has this indeed happened?? Either that or I am living in the year 1812!! Wait a sec.. maybe the guy remained the Head of some Khap Panchayat before joining HC!!
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Recommend! +1 Objection! -0 Asha 2012-09-06 15:38
Barbaric isn't it. Jai Hind
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Recommend! +2 Objection! -0 Out! 2012-09-05 18:28
he should be removed from the position. it is one thing for us to be entertained another for the government to pay taxpayers' money so he can make such rulings and affect people's lives.
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Recommend! +0 Objection! -0 Asha 2012-09-06 15:39
Possibly he will get away with it too and cause havoc in many many lifes. Bet you possibly he has only son's and goes home and beats his own wife.
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Recommend! +0 Objection! -0 Asha 2012-09-06 15:48
Is this for real. YES it is, the state of our judicial system is pathetic as far as women are concerned. First it's domestic abuse and if somehow the woman is strong enough to go through the judicial system, all she can expect is judicial abuse. The man wears hugo boss shirts, monc blanc pen and the likes of that whereas the the maintenance she is offered generally Rs. 500/- and if she is lucky then a few meagre thousands and this is when she has two children to look after while the husband doles out several times this money on his several girlfriends.
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Recommend! +0 Objection! -0 Corp-Lit Lawyer 2012-09-06 17:44
Hail B2K movement. As we speak overtures are being made to induct this man as an Honorary Chairman (obviously with no executive powers) of the movement. His spiritual guidance despite being in a position where "political correctness" is required is commendable.

Jai Hind!
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