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?