In a first-of-its-kind order, the Madras High Court has directed a businessman to vacate his house and find an alternative accommodation within two weeks since his estranged wife complained that he manhandles and abuses her in front of her minor children, who were of impressionable age.
Justice R.N. Manjula directed the businessman to leave his house within a fortnight, failing which he would be evicted with police assistance. She granted liberty to his estranged wife to approach the Family Court for necessary orders if he does not leave within the stipulated time.
The judge concurred with the woman’s counsel S.P. Arthi that if eviction of the husband from the matrimonial home was the only way to ensure domestic peace, courts should not hesitate to pass such orders irrespective of whether he had or did not have any other accommodation of his own. “If the husband has got an alternative accommodation, it is fine. He can be asked to accommodate himself in that alternative premises. If he does not have any other accommodation, it is up to him to secure an alternative accommodation,” the judge wrote, while modifying an order passed by a Family Court on April 11.
