In a recent landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India reinstated the Family Court's directive, awarding ?21.75 lakh per month as interim maintenance to a wife involved in a contentious divorce case. The ruling emphasized that a wife's standard of living during separation should not fall below what she experienced during the marriage. This decision highlights the judiciary's focus on fairness and dignity for financially dependent spouses during marital disputes.
Case Background
Married in 2008 under Christian customs, the couple's relationship deteriorated, leading to the husband filing for divorce in 2019. He cited cruelty and irreconcilable differences, while the wife, having left her job after marriage, sought interim maintenance. She claimed she lacked the financial means to support herself, pointing to her husband's significant income from his medical practice, real estate, and other investments.
Initially, the Family Court awarded ?1.75 lakh per month in 2022, recognizing the husband's substantial income. However, the Madras High Court later reduced this amount to ?1.80 lakh, citing insufficient evidence of his earnings. Both parties appealed to the Supreme Court—the wife seeking a higher sum and the husband challenging the maintenance altogether.
Key Legal Considerations
The Supreme Court examined two core questions:
1. How should interim maintenance be calculated to ensure the wife's standard of living while accounting for the husband's financial capacity?
2. Did the High Court adequately evaluate the husband's true financial situation?
Supreme Court’s Findings
The bench, led by Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B. Varale, criticized the High Court's incomplete assessment of the husband's assets. They stressed that maintenance must reflect the lifestyle the wife enjoyed during the marriage and take into account any economic disparity between the partners.
On Standard of Living: The Court ruled that a wife should maintain the same standard of living she had in her matrimonial home during separation. It emphasized that she was accustomed to significant comforts, such as domestic help, which should not be stripped away.
On Financial Transparency: The Court highlighted the husband's lack of full financial disclosure, noting that he did not provide comprehensive records of his income from properties and business ventures. This failure weakened his claims of financial limitations.
On Legal Precedents: The Court reaffirmed that maintenance aims to ensure dignity and financial stability for a dependent spouse. It also acknowledged the wife's decision to leave her job after marriage as a factor justifying higher maintenance.
Supreme Court’s Decision
Ultimately, the Supreme Court restored the Family Court's original decision, requiring the husband to pay ?1.75 lakh per month, retroactive to 2019, until the divorce is finalized. The husband's request for a reduction was rejected, underlining the importance of financial security for the wife during separation.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to protecting the financial rights and dignity of non-earning spouses, setting a precedent for fair treatment in matrimonial disputes.
Advotalks: Talk To Lawyers https://www.advotalks.com/
For More Legal Updates visit our youtube channel
