Category: Maintenance

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 125(4) — Application of principles to facts — Remand — Trial Court erred in holding that the adultery issue could only be decided at final adjudication, rendering the statutory scheme otiose; since photographic/electronic evidence of adultery was placed on record requiring evaluation, the Trial Court was directed to decide the S. 125(4) application on merits, with interim maintenance continuing till such decision — matter remanded.

2026 INSC 778 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH HIMANSHU CHORDIA Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND ANOTHER ( Before : Sanjay Karol and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ. ) Criminal Appeal…

Matrimonial law — Maintenance — Deductions from husband’s salary — Voluntary deductions for asset creation (e.g., loan repayments) cannot dilute primary maintenance obligation — Husband’s duty to maintain spouse is primary and continuing, enabling wife to live with dignity.

2026 INSC 370 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH DEEPA JOSHI Vs. GAURAV JOSHI ( Before : Sanjay Karol and Augustine George Masih, JJ. ) Criminal Appeal No. ….of 2026…

Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 — Sections 21(vii) and 22 — Maintenance of Dependents — Widow of Son — Legal entitlement to claim maintenance from the estate of the deceased father-in-law — Interpretation of “any widow of his son” under Section 21(vii) — The phrase “any widow of his son” is clear and unambiguous, applying to a son’s widow irrespective of whether the son died before or after the father-in-law’s demise — The word “predeceased” cannot be added to or inferred before “son” in Section 21(vii) — A daughter-in-law who becomes a widow after the death of her father-in-law is a ‘dependant’ upon his estate and entitled to claim maintenance under Section 22. (Paras 3, 7, 10, 15, 16, 22, 29)

2026 INSC 54 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH KANCHANA RAI Vs. GEETA SHARMA AND OTHERS ( Before : Pankaj Mithal and S.V.N. Bhatti, JJ. ) Civil Appeal Nos…..of 2026…

Hindu Marriage Act, 1956 — Sections 12 and 13 — Family Courts Act, 1984 — Sections 6 and 9 — Irretrievable breakdown of marriage — Where the parties have agreed to a divorce but are in dispute over maintenance or permanent alimony, the court must determine the quantum of maintenance based on a balanced consideration of various factors, including the financial status of both parties, the standard of living during the marriage, and the reasonable needs of the dependent spouse — The court should aim to ensure that the dependent spouse is not reduced to destitution, while also avoiding an unreasonable financial burden on the other spouse.

2025 INSC 135 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH SAU. JIYA Vs. KULDEEP ( Before : Vikram Nath and Prasanna B. Varale, JJ. ) Civil Appeal No….of 2025 (SLP (C)…

Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 – Section 18 – Maintenance to wife – Enhancement of – Husband serving as Assistant Manager, BSNL and his salary is Rs. 1,05,871 (Rupees One Lakh Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy One) per month – Monthly maintenance enhanced form Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH YAGWATI @ POONAM — Appellant Vs. GHANSHYAM — Respondent ( Before : Vikram Nath and Satish Chandra Sharma, JJ. ) Civil Appeal Nos. 1318-1319…

Constitution of India, 1950 – Article 142 – (CrPC) – S 125(3) – Maintenance to wife – Fails to comply with the order for payment of maintenance – Husband abandoned the wife, and virtually fled to Australia – Recovery of arrears of maintenance on the ground that she lives with her widowed mother, on whom she is dependent expenses. for including litigation expenses – This Court is not powerless, but can issue appropriate directions, and even decrees, for doing complete justice between the parties – In other words, the power under Article 142 is meant to supplement the existing legal framework – Directions issued for sale of joint/coparcenary property

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH MANMOHAN GOPAL — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF CHHATTISGARH AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : S. Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar, JJ. )…

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