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Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A techie couple's four-year-long legal battle has taken a pricey twist. The woman, an IT professional, is demanding Rs 50 lakh from her estranged husband also a techie in exchange for agreeing to a mutual consent divorce. Both are in their mid-thirties and have been separated since 2021, after marrying in 2019.

The dispute began when the woman objected to restrictions imposed by her in-laws regarding her clothing, social outings and freedom. She wanted to wear what she liked, attend late-night parties and drink—choices her traditionally-minded husband and his family disapproved of. With no reconciliation in sight, the woman remained in Bhopal while the husband moved to Pune.

According to family court counsellor Shail Awasthi, the woman initially filed a case under Section 498A of IPC (dowry harassment), and also under Section 125 CrPC (maintenance) both of which were dismissed. She later moved court under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act seeking restitution of conjugal rights, while the husband filed for divorce.

Now, the woman says she will agree to a divorce by mutual consent only if paid Rs 50 lakh. She claims she is currently unemployed, though her husband insists she is working from home.

“We frequently see one party demanding money to settle matrimonial disputes. The amount depends on the economic status, but such demands are now quite common,” said Awasthi.

Divorce Demand

• Techie wife demands Rs 50 lakh to settle divorce with mutual consent.

• Couple separated over lifestyle clashes, living apart since 2021.

• Woman's dowry, maintenance cases were dismissed by court.

• Husband claims she still works from home, contradicting her court claim.