A man from a remote Indian village has been ordered to pay his ex-wife a hefty compensation for being too clean and tidy. The woman filed for divorce, claiming that her husband’s obsession with cleanliness was making her life miserable.
The woman said that her husband would force her to wash her hands and feet every time she entered the house, and that he would constantly nag her about dusting, sweeping, and scrubbing. She also complained that he would not let her cook or eat spicy food, as he feared it would stain his teeth and clothes.
The man defended himself, saying that he was only trying to maintain hygiene and order in the house, and that he loved his wife and wanted her to be healthy and happy. He also said that he had a medical condition that made him sensitive to dirt and germs.
The court, however, sided with the woman, and ruled that the man’s behavior was unreasonable and oppressive. The court ordered the man to pay his ex-wife a monthly alimony of 10,000 rupees (about $120), and a one-time compensation of 100,000 rupees (about $1,200) for the mental and physical distress he caused her.