The Supreme Court directed a man claiming Rs 325 daily income to pay Rs 10,000 monthly maintenance to his wife. Refusing to interfere with the High Court order, the bench found his income claim “difficult to swallow”.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court ordered a man who claimed to earn Rs 325 per day to pay his wife Rs 10,000 every month as maintenance.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta declined to interfere with the High Court’s earlier order on the maintenance issue while deciding the wife’s petition seeking an increase in alimony.
The Court had previously observed that the husband’s stated income was “difficult to swallow.”
During the proceedings, the husband said his monthly income was Rs 9,000. The Court remarked that such a figure seemed unrealistic in the current economic situation.
Justice Nath had asked,
“Who earns Rs 9,000 these days?”
The dispute began with the wife’s plea for enhancement of alimony granted by a trial court. The trial court had awarded Rs 6 lakh as full and final alimony, which the husband complied with.
Unsatisfied, the wife approached the High Court seeking Rs 30 lakh. The High Court rejected her request and upheld the trial court’s decision. She then moved the Supreme Court.
Before the top court, the wife’s counsel told the Court that she had suggested two options to settle the matter: either Rs 12,000 per month for the remainder of her life with yearly increments, or a one-time lump sum of Rs 30 lakh.
Advocate George Pothan, appearing for the husband, argued that alimony should be assessed by considering the husband’s financial capacity and obligations. He submitted that the man worked seven days a week, earning Rs 325 per day. He also contended that the husband was supported by his siblings and bore the cost of his children’s education.
Pothan had submitted,
“He has no means to pay. To even pay alimony, his father had to sell joint property,”
Justice Mehta, however, replied sharply.
He had remarked,
“Beg, borrow, steal, that is the principle. To maintain your wife,”
After hearing both sides and reserving its decision earlier, the Supreme Court today upheld the High Court’s approach and directed the husband to pay Rs 10,000 per month as maintenance to his wife.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE