In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has rejected the characterization of a woman's decision to pursue her career as matrimonial cruelty. The case involved a woman, a qualified dentist, who faced accusations from her husband after she opened a dental clinic in Ahmedabad while he was stationed in remote locations as an Army officer. The court, in its judgement issued on May 12, described the previous rulings by a family court and the Gujarat High Court as 'archaic' and 'ultra-conservative.' It emphasized that marriage does not diminish a woman's individuality or professional aspirations. The Supreme Court noted that branding a wife's career efforts as acts of cruelty is 'highly objectionable' in a society that promotes women's empowerment. Although the court did not interfere with the divorce proceedings initiated by the husband, it dismissed his claims of perjury against his wife, suggesting they stemmed from personal grievances. The court also mandated the removal of all references to cruelty from the lower court's judgments.