Stridhan Or Inherited Property Cannot Defeat Wife’s Maintenance Claim: Delhi High Court Rejects Husband’s Plea

The Delhi High Court held a husband cannot rely on wife’s inherited property or family gifts to oppose maintenance, stressing her earning capacity. It said, “stridhan or inherited property cannot be treated as income to defeat her claim.”

Birbal Saini v. Satywati Case| Distinction Between Ancestral & Inherited Property: Delhi High Court

On December 24, 2024, the Delhi High Court ruled in the case of Birbal Saini v. Satywati, clarifying property rights under Hindu law. The court distinguished between ancestral and inherited property, determining that the disputed property was inherited by Bharat Singh and thus self-acquired, allowing its sale without heirs’ consent.