A Pune family court recently rejected a 46-year-old woman’s plea for interim alimony of ₹25,000 per month, ruling that her stable earnings and financial independence negate the need for spousal maintenance. The woman, a teacher earning ₹7,000 monthly alongside ₹60,000-65,000 from private tuitions, had sought the alimony during ongoing divorce proceedings.
The court noted that both children of the couple are now adults, with the elder son employed and the father covering educational expenses for the younger son. The husband’s lawyer argued that his income was lower than the wife’s, making the alimony claim unjustified. The judge, S. N. Rukme, emphasized individual financial circumstances and dismissed the wife’s application, underscoring that maintenance is not warranted when the claimant is self-sufficient.
The couple, married for over 25 years, is involved in a divorce case under the Domestic Violence Act and Hindu Marriage Act, with allegations of abuse from the wife’s side. This ruling reflects the judiciary’s careful consideration of earning capacity and family dynamics in maintenance disputes, signaling a shift towards more balanced assessments in alimony cases.
