Bengaluru: Woman Moves Court Against Husband for Not Buying Body Lotion

Bengaluru, February 5: In a bizarre case, a woman has approached the court to file a case against her husband over his failure to purchase a specific body lotion. The domestic dispute, which originated in a residential pocket of the city, escalated from a household argument to a formal legal complaint, prompting the Karnataka High Court to address the nature of the grievances.

The couple, who have been married for several years, reportedly reached a breaking point when the husband returned home without the skincare product requested by the wife. While the incident appears trivial, the petitioner alleged that the husband’s consistent neglect of her basic requirements and requests amounted to mental harassment. Supreme Court Declares Right to Menstrual Health Part of Right to Life, Directs Free Sanitary Pads in All Schools.

Woman Moves Court Against Husband for Not Buying Body Lotion

According to court submissions, the wife claimed that the body lotion was not an isolated incident but part of a recurring pattern of behavior. She alleged that her husband ignored her needs while prioritising his own expenditures. After a heated exchange regarding the missing item, the woman initially approached local mediation services before seeking a formal legal remedy under sections pertaining to domestic disharmony.

The husband, in his defense, argued that the omission was accidental and due to work-related stress. He contended that filing a court case over a cosmetic product was an "abuse of the legal process" and sought to have the petition dismissed, citing that such matters should be resolved within the home rather than through state intervention. ‘Can’t Play With Right to Privacy’: Supreme Court Flags Concerns Over WhatsApp Privacy Policy, Data Sharing.

During the preliminary hearing, the Karnataka High Court expressed its reservations about the case. The bench noted that while the law is designed to protect individuals from genuine cruelty and harassment, clogging the judicial system with disputes over minor household chores or purchases diverts resources from critical cases.

The court observed that "petty disagreements" are inherent in marital life and encouraged the couple to seek professional counseling rather than legal retribution. The judge remarked that a lack of "body lotion" does not inherently constitute legal cruelty unless it is part of a broader, more severe pattern of physical or psychological abuse.

The court has currently directed the couple to the Bengaluru Mediation Centre. Legal experts in the city suggest that this move is intended to de-escalate the situation without creating a permanent criminal record for either party. The mediation process will focus on communication gaps and financial management within the marriage.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 05, 2026 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).