Sex and Bhopal: Lovelorn women finding gratification outside of marriage

BHOPAL: Desperate housewives in Bhopal are taking a leaf out of DH Lawrence's 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' and ensnaring younger men. Going by the mounting divorce cases at city family court, bored elderly women are rekindling passion in their lives in the arms of other men. Meanwhile, one husband, on an average, goes to family courts for counseling each day.
TOI spoke to lawyers about this new trend.
A businessman husband, a house with every possible facility and five pretty children what else could a woman want at the age of 50. But Shafaq (name changed), a housewife, divorced her husband and tied the knot with a younger married driver. The marriage did not last long as the driver returned to his former wife. Shafaq was left with a sewing machine to fend for herself.
A very senior retired government official could not believe his eyes when he saw the video of his 60-year-old wife involved sexually with their driver. The video was made by the driver's wife whose generations worked in that house. Their divorce case is still going on.
A retired government officer during the sunset days of his life divorced his wife,60, a college lecturer, accusing her of an extra-marital affair. In another case, the husband alleged his 50-year-old wife of prostitution and having affairs with several men. They lead separate lives in the same house. The divorce case is underway. The wife has also demanded alimony for which the case is going on.
Another retired senior government official had to divorce his 60-year-old wife as she was having an affair with a man who frequented their home. The wife demanded maintenance and a share in property, for which the case is going on.
In yet another divorce case, a 50-year-old working woman had affair with several men in her office. The divorce and property case of the couple is still going on.
All these cases have been registered in the family court. On an average, one person comes in for counseling every day.
Shail Awasthi, counselor, family court, Bhopal said, "The main reason behind straying of these women is the need for economic stability and sexual fulfillment. In some cases, loneliness also becomes a reason. Such cases come in everyday. But an interesting aspect is that these women in question give priority to getting alimony and share in property, rather than saving their marriage."
Noorunnisa Khan, senior counselor, family Court, Bhopal, said, "If the woman belongs to a well-to-do family then she is just seeking fulfillment of her sexual needs. They just want sex in the bargain if money is aplenty. But they don't necessarily go for younger men as they also need support among other things. Which is polar opposite of men's preference who invariably go for younger women".
Sangeeta Moharir, Lawyer, district court said, "I have observed that divorce appeals usually come either just after marriage or after 20 to 25 years of marriage".