Pune: A family court in Pune has ordered a London-based businessman to pay ₹20,000 monthly as maintenance and ₹10,000 monthly as house rent to his wife, who was abandoned in India following alleged physical and mental abuse.
The court emphasized that the husband, who earns a substantial income in pounds, is financially capable of supporting his wife.
The couple, Nilesh and Nilambari (names changed), married in November 2022 after meeting through a matrimonial website. Nilesh had assured Nilambari that he would take her to London after the wedding and persuaded her to quit her high-paying IT job in preparation for their move.
However, after the marriage, Nilesh allegedly subjected her to harassment and left for London alone, citing business reasons. He applied for a personal visa for Nilambari, which was rejected, leaving her in Gujarat at her in-laws’ residence, where she faced further domestic violence.
Nilambari filed a petition seeking financial support through her legal team. During the court proceedings, she presented documents revealing that Nilesh earned ₹18 lakh per month and paid ₹1.5 lakh in rent in London. This evidence contradicted the husband's claim of having limited financial capacity.
Medical records also disclosed that Nilesh was undergoing treatment for a mental disorder and had issues with physical intimacy. The court determined that he failed to uphold his responsibilities as a husband and ordered him to provide financial support to Nilambari.
Advocate Prasad Nikam, representing Nilambari, stated, "The husband and his family subjected her to domestic violence and failed to fulfill promises made during the marriage.
He provided false information about his income and married primarily to maintain his social reputation. The court’s order ensures justice for our client."