Judge Shames Woman for No Bindi, Mangalsutra in Court

A recent social media post has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of mediation in resolving domestic disputes. The post, shared by lawyer Ankur R Jahagirdar on LinkedIn, highlights remarks allegedly made by a Pune district court judge during a mediation session between an estranged husband and wife.

Questioning a Woman’s Marital Status Based on Appearance

During the mediation, the judge reportedly commented on the woman’s choice of attire, questioning why she was not wearing a mangalsutra or a bindi. The judge commented, “I notice that you are not wearing a mangalsutra or a bindi.” If you don’t behave like a married woman, why would your husband show any interest in you?”

These remarks have raised concerns about gender bias in mediation proceedings and whether such comments create a fair and neutral environment for dispute resolution.

Another Case of Gender Stereotyping in Mediation

In his post, Jahagirdar also mentioned another instance where a sessions judge overseeing a maintenance dispute made a controversial statement about women’s financial expectations in marriage. The judge reportedly said:
A financially successful woman often prefers a partner who earns more than she does and may be reluctant to settle for someone with a lower income. In contrast, men may not have the same expectations and might even choose to marry someone from a less privileged background, such as a domestic worker.

Emotional Toll on Litigants

Jahagirdar shared that in this second case, his client—who was seeking maintenance—was deeply affected by the judge’s comments and broke down in tears during the mediation. He stated that the mediation failed primarily due to the mediator’s dismissive attitude toward the woman’s concerns.

Impact on Trust in Mediation

Such incidents raise critical questions about the role of mediators in ensuring a fair and unbiased resolution process. Jahagirdar emphasized that when judges overseeing mediation make insensitive or biased remarks, litigants lose confidence in the process. This, in turn, makes settlements more difficult and contributes to the backlog of cases in the justice system.

Need for Trained and Neutral Mediators

The controversy highlights the importance of having trained mediators with expertise in handling sensitive disputes. A fair mediation process should provide a neutral and supportive environment where both parties feel heard and respected. Ensuring professionalism and impartiality in mediation is crucial to making it a reliable alternative to prolonged court battles.

Conclusion

Judicial mediation plays a vital role in easing the burden on courts by helping people reach amicable settlements. But beyond just legal resolutions, mediation also impacts the mental and emotional well-being of those involved. Legal disputes can be incredibly stressful, leading to

Anxiety
Emotional exhaustion
Even long-term psychological trauma

That’s why the success of mediation depends not just on fairness but also on the sensitivity and neutrality of mediator.

A well-trained mediator can make all the difference by

Handling disputes with empathy
Ensuring that litigants feel heard
Reducing the emotional toll of prolonged legal battles.

After all, justice isn’t just about winning or losing; it’s also about finding closure without unnecessary distress.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.