Supreme Court Orders Husband Claiming Rs 325 Daily Income to Pay Rs 10,000 Monthly Maintenance

The Supreme Court has directed a man, who claimed that he earned only ₹325 per day, to pay ₹10,000 every month as maintenance to his estranged wife. The order came while the Court was dealing with the wife’s plea seeking a higher amount than what had earlier been granted.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta refused to interfere with the High Court’s earlier decision on maintenance. At the same time, the top court disposed of the matter by directing monthly payment of ₹10,000 to the wife.

The dispute began after a trial court granted the wife ₹6 lakh as full and final alimony. That amount was paid by the husband. However, the wife was not satisfied and challenged the amount, seeking ₹30 lakh before the High Court.

The High Court did not accept her plea and upheld the trial court’s order. The wife then moved the Supreme Court, asking for enhancement. During the proceedings, her side suggested two possible settlements to bring the dispute to an end.

The first proposal was monthly maintenance of ₹12,000 for life, with annual increases. The second was a lump sum payment of ₹30 lakh. These options were placed before the Court as possible ways to resolve the long-running matrimonial dispute.

The husband, through his counsel, argued that his financial condition did not allow him to pay such a high amount. It was submitted that he worked all seven days of the week and earned ₹325 per day, which came to around ₹9,000 per month.

His counsel also told the Court that he had family responsibilities, including the education expenses of the children, and that his siblings were helping him financially. It was further argued that even the earlier alimony amount was managed only after his father sold joint family property.

The Supreme Court, however, appeared unconvinced by the husband’s income claim. During an earlier hearing, the Bench had openly expressed doubt over the figure placed before it. Justice Vikram Nath had remarked, “Who earns ₹9,000 these days?”

Justice Sandeep Mehta also made a sharp oral observation during the hearing while responding to the husband’s plea of financial hardship. He said, “Beg, borrow, steal, that is the principle. To maintain your wife,” underlining the legal duty of a husband to support his spouse.

After hearing both sides and considering the record, the Court decided not to disturb the High Court’s order. Still, it directed that the husband must pay ₹10,000 per month to his estranged wife, bringing a practical close to the maintenance dispute before it.