Must protect women's financial, residential security: Justice Nagarathna

Financial security as well as security of residence of Indian women need to be protected and enhanced for their true empowerment, Justice Nagarathna observed on Monday.

She made the observation while delivering a separate but concurring verdict of a bench, also comprising Justice Augustine George Masih, which held that a Muslim woman can seek maintenance from her husband under Section 125 of the CrPC and said the "religion neutral" provision is applicable to all married women irrespective of their religion.

"Both 'financial security' as well as 'security of residence' of Indian women have to be protected and enhanced. That would truly empower such Indian women who are referred to as 'homemakers' and who are the strength and backbone of an Indian family which is the fundamental unit of the Indian society which has to be maintained and strengthened," Justice Nagarathna said in her 45-page verdict.

She said it goes without saying that a stable family, which is emotionally connected and