The Karnataka High Court has made a significant ruling in a family maintenance case, reducing the monthly amount payable to an estranged wife from Rs 4,000 to Rs 2,500. This decision highlights the court's balancing act between spousal support and other familial obligations, particularly when income is limited.
Court's Rationale: Limited Income and Multiple Responsibilities
A single-judge bench of Justice Dr Chillakur Sumalatha, in an order dated January 20, partially allowed a petition filed by the husband challenging a family court's November 2024 order. The husband argued that the original maintenance amount was exorbitant, given his monthly earnings of only Rs 10,000. From this modest income, he must support his daughter pursuing a Master of Computer Applications (MCA), covering her tuition fees and other expenses, while also providing care for his aged parents.
Wife's Position and Lack of Evidence
The wife opposed the petition, contending that the maintenance amount was meagre and insufficient for her needs, thus making the petition unsustainable. However, the court referred to the husband's salary slip, confirming his Rs 10,000 monthly income. Crucially, the bench noted that the wife failed to produce any documents to show that the husband has additional sources of income beyond his salary, a key factor in the court's assessment.
Judicial Emphasis on Family Duties
In its detailed order, the bench stated, "This court is of the view that when the husband has got no such means to maintain and is overburdened, the wife cannot claim that she is required to be maintained by husband whatever be the circumstances in which he is placed." The court elaborated on the husband's responsibilities: "Here is a case where the husband has to look after his daughter, to provide good education to her and get her married and also to look after his parents. The court cannot direct the husband to relieve his shoulder from those responsibilities and to take up the task of maintaining his wife by providing maintenance to the extent she claimed."
Final Ruling and Broader Societal Context
Considering these constraints, the court held that the husband could only be directed to pay Rs 2,500 per month towards his wife's maintenance. The bench also reflected on traditional Indian societal norms, noting that from time immemorial, wives have often assisted husbands in their occupations to enhance family earnings and ensure comfortable living. Similarly, there are countless instances where wives shoulder responsibilities when husbands are unable due to physical or mental ailments, even if they are illiterate.
This case underscores the complexities of maintenance disputes in Indian family law, where courts must weigh individual needs against overall family welfare and financial realities. The ruling may set a precedent for similar cases involving limited incomes and multiple dependents, emphasizing the importance of documented evidence in such legal proceedings.
