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  • Wife entitled to Equal Share of Property belonging to Husband: HC

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    Wife entitled to Equal Share of Property belonging to Husband: HC

    He claimed ownership of the property and accused her of having an extramarital affair. Following his death, his children were charged in the case.

    Digital Desk: The Madras High Court
    found that a wife is entitled to an equal stake in the property purchased by
    her husband and that the multiple responsibilities she does cannot be equated
    with the husband's 8-hour employment.



    color:#2E2E2E">The ruling was issued recently by Justice Krishnan Ramasamy in
    connection with a property dispute between a couple, with the initial appellant
    being deceased.



    He claimed ownership of
    the property and accused her of having an extramarital affair. Following his
    death, his children were charged in the case.



    The
    judge observed that the defendant woman, as a homemaker, played an important
    role in managing domestic responsibilities such as child care, cooking,
    cleaning, and managing day-to-day family matters without causing any trouble to
    the litigant, who had gone overseas for work.



    "Additionally,
    she sacrificed her dreams and dedicated her entire life to her family and
    children," the court said.



    "In
    most marriages, the wife bears and rears children, as well as manages the
    household." As a result, her husband has more time for business. "She
    is entitled to share in the fruits of her function because it is her
    performance of her function that allows the husband to perform his," the
    judge pointed out.



    The
    judge claimed that a wife who stays at home is a manager, chef, "home
    doctor," and "home economist" with knowledge of finances.



    Since
    a wife performs these tasks, she contributes to the family and ensures that the
    home is a comfortable place to live. While this is a valuable job that she
    performs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it cannot be compared to a husband
    who earns a living and works only eight hours.



    The
    contribution made by the husband through earning or the wife through serving
    and caring for the family and children is for the benefit of the family when
    the husband and wife are viewed as two wheels on a family cart, the court
    added. Both are entitled equally to whatever they earn through their joint
    effort.



    "That they jointly
    own the beneficial interest is the proper presumption." The judge said,
    "The property may be bought solely in the name of the husband or wife, but
    it is bought with money saved by their joint efforts."The court ruled that
    both parties in this case should receive an equal portion of particular
    immovable property because without the first defendant/wife, the litigant (who
    is now deceased) would not have travelled abroad and made all the money.