In a significant ruling focusing on child welfare, the Telangana High Court has confirmed a couple's divorce and substantially enhanced the maintenance for their minor daughter to a final settlement of Rs 80 lakh. The judgment, delivered earlier this month, overruled a lower court's earlier award of Rs 10 lakh, deeming it insufficient for the child's future.
Court's Final Order and Reasoning
A division bench comprising Justices K Lakshman and Vakiti Ramakrishna Reddy passed the order on December 5, 2025. The bench directed the husband to deposit the enhanced amount of Rs 80 lakh as a fixed deposit in a nationalised bank within three months, with the daughter named as the nominee. The original deposit receipt must be handed over to her.
The court explicitly stated that this sum constitutes a "full and final settlement" for both the wife and the daughter, covering permanent alimony and maintenance. Consequently, they are barred from making any future claims against the husband's properties.
Background of the Marital Dispute
The couple married in May 2011 and began living separately shortly after the birth of their daughter in June 2012. The husband had initially filed for divorce in the trial court, alleging cruelty. His claims included that his wife had schizophrenia, a fact allegedly suppressed by her parents before marriage, and cited incidents of physical abuse and public humiliation.
The wife countered these allegations, stating she only experienced sleeplessness and depression during her pregnancy in 2011-2012. She accused her husband of harassing her for more dowry and neglect. The protracted legal battle involved multiple criminal complaints, including a case under IPC Section 498A against the husband, which ended in his acquittal.
Why the Maintenance Was Increased
The High Court bench noted that the husband failed to legally prove the wife had a pre-existing mental health condition. Medical testimony indicated her symptoms were related to pregnancy. Observing a completely "strained relationship" with no hope of reconciliation, even after a failed mediation attempt, the court upheld the trial court's May 2018 divorce decree.
However, the bench found the trial court's maintenance award of Rs 10 lakh inadequate. It emphasized the mother's role in raising the child, providing education, and the future responsibility of her marriage. "Therefore, the aforesaid amount of Rs. 10,00,000/- awarded by the Family Court towards maintenance of the child is not sufficient," the bench stated.
While the wife was denied permanent alimony as she is currently employed, the court's primary focus remained the welfare of the now 13-year-old daughter, leading to the enhanced settlement in her name.
