NEW DELHI: The institution of marriage is “quite paradoxical,” and if issues between spouses are not resolved quickly, the “better half becomes the bitter half”, the Delhi high court has observed.The high court said one of the most beautiful human relationships, that of a husband and wife, can become one of the most terrible when things go wrong in a matrimonial alliance, news agency PTI reported.Justice Vimal Kumar Yadav made the observations while allowing a man’s appeal against a trial court judgment sentencing him to three years in prison for allegedly trying to kill his wife by pouring Baygon spray into her mouth.The high court acquitted Nafe Singh, saying the prosecution had failed to present cogent evidence regarding the intention and knowledge required under Section 307 of the IPC.“It is highly unsafe to act upon the kind of shaky evidence brought on record,” the court said while granting the man the benefit of doubt.In its August 24 verdict, the high court said, “The institution of marriage is quite paradoxical and a world of extremities. The best, in no time, becomes worst if not handled carefully. The better-half becomes the bitter-half if issues are not taken care of and resolved as soon as possible.”It further said, “One of the most beautiful relationships of humans, that is of a husband and wife, becomes one of the most terrible when things go wrong in a matrimonial alliance. Time, albeit, is a big healer and tones down a lot of pains in life; however, in relationships, time taken can also be counterproductive.”The court said relationships can take a completely different, undesirable and unexpected turn if they are not handled carefully and in time, PTI reported.The institution of marriage derives its strength from faith, companionship and the trust that spouses place in each other, with both sides feeling assured and protected, it said.“The troubles in this bond between the spouses not only affect the institution of marriage but the family as well and, in turn, society too. The relationship founded upon faith, trust and confidence gets transformed into a conflict zone where often, physical violence also creeps in,” the court said.It added that there have been recent instances of spouses resorting to extreme levels of violence against each other that would have been incomprehensible a few decades ago.Singh and the woman married in 2000, but their relationship deteriorated within a year.According to the prosecution, during a matrimonial dispute in 2001, the husband allegedly first tried to force his wife to drink Baygon insecticide from a tumbler.When that failed, he allegedly poured it directly into her throat from the container.An FIR was registered against the man and his mother.While his mother was acquitted by the trial court, Singh was convicted of attempt to murder.The man denied the allegations and said there was a matrimonial dispute over his wife’s desire to live with him separately, away from his widowed mother.(With agency inputs)
