The Allahabad High Court temporarily transferred custody of a five-year-old girl to her father, observing that she appeared “heavily tutored” and was being used as a “pawn” in her parents’ matrimonial dispute. The interim order was passed in a habeas corpus petition.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that a husband’s care and attention towards his parents, or disputes with in-laws, cannot justify a wife leaving the matrimonial home and subsequently claiming maintenance under the law.
The Delhi High Court was informed that mediation in the Sunjay Kapur family trust dispute could conclude by August, raising hopes of an amicable settlement. The matter involved an application by Karisma Kapoor’s children seeking additional time to file their written statement during ongoing mediation.
The Delhi High Court dismissed a husband’s appeal against his contempt conviction, holding that ongoing settlement negotiations cannot excuse non-compliance with binding court orders. The Court upheld directions concerning his passport and reaffirmed the obligation to fulfil maintenance-related financial responsibilities pending resolution of disputes.
The Delhi High Court upheld a Family Court order directing a DNA test, ruling that a child’s right to know biological parentage outweighs an adult’s concern over reputation. The Court observed that truth cannot be suppressed merely because it causes personal discomfort.
The Ketan Agarwal murder case has taken a dramatic turn as Advocate Ashutosh Srivastava, claiming to represent accused Siya Goyal, served a Rs.10 crore defamation notice to her brother Sahil Goyal over alleged defamatory remarks. The dispute follows Ketan Agarwal’s death after falling into a gorge at Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18.
The Allahabad High Court upheld a maintenance order directing a husband to pay his wife, ruling that a PM Awas Yojana house cannot replace maintenance rights. The Court said an able-bodied husband cannot avoid responsibility by claiming unemployment or low income under law.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that maintenance cannot be granted to wives automatically without examining financial circumstances. Justice Chillakur Sumalatha said courts must consider income, independence and responsibilities of both spouses before passing orders, setting aside a direction requiring a husband to pay Rs 20,000 monthly.
The Jharkhand High Court upheld a divorce decree after observing that a 36-year separation had turned the marriage into a “dead wood marriage.” While ending the decades-long relationship, the Court increased permanent alimony for the wife from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.
The Pune family court granted interim custody of a minor child to his Singapore-based father, observing that the child’s welfare would be better served in his care. The court noted alleged non-compliance with orders and stressed that custody must focus on the child’s best interests.
