Divorce cannot be granted to a couple under mutual consent if the wife is terminally ill, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. The court said that it’s a man’s primary duty to take care of his wife during difficult times, saying that a separation plea can be considered only after the wife's health recovers.

The Times of India reported that a bench headed by Justice MY Eqbal refused to allow the divorce petition of a husband even after his wife’s consent, after the court found out that she suffered from an advanced form of cancer and required immediate medical care. The wife had agreed to a divorce after her husband said he would pay Rupees 12.5 lakh as alimony. The court observed that the wife’s consent to the divorce might have been forced by her need for the money to pay for her treatment.

The court said that in a Hindu marriage, it is the duty of the husband to not only to provide his wife food and clothes, but also protect her from all calamities and take care of her health and safety.