NEW DELHI (TIP): A disease-afflicted woman cannot seek divorce just to get some money even after getting consent from her husband for dissolution of marriage, the Supreme Court has said.

The court said to a Hindu wife that her husband is her God and he has to take care of her every need. A bench of Justices M Y Eqbal and C Nagappan refused a plea made by the couple to grant divorce by the mutual consent, after noting the woman—suffering from cancer—seemed keen for it just to have some money. Rs 5 lakh for treatment

The court, instead, directed the husband to pay Rs 5 lakh for her treatment within a week—out of Rs 12.5 lakh—the amount for full and final settlement between them.

Referring to the study of Hindu Law and different religious books, the court said it cannot be disputed that after marriage, law enjoins the corresponding duty on the husband to look after her comforts and not only to provide her food and clothes but to protect her from all calamities and to take care of her health and safety.

“To a Hindu wife, her husband is her God and her life becomes one of the selfless service and profound dedication to her husband. She not only shares the life and love, but the joys and sorrows, the troubles and tribulation of her husband and becomes an integral part of her husband’s life and activities,” the bench observed.