Bombay HC Boosts Divorced Wife's Maintenance to ₹3.5 Lakh Per Month
The Bombay High Court has significantly increased the monthly maintenance for a divorced wife from ₹50,000 to ₹3.5 lakh, finding that her husband had concealed his financial strength and misled the court. He has been directed to deposit ₹42 lakh as a year's arrears.
Bombay High CourtMaintenanceDivorceFinancial StrengthLegal PrinciplesReal Estate MaharashtraNov 12, 2025
Court Observes False Claims of Low Income
A bench of Justices BP Colabawalla and Somasekhar Sundaresan observed that the husband’s claim of earning only ₹6 lakh annually was “farcical,” given his family’s sprawling real estate and finance empire worth over ₹1,000 crore. He has been directed to deposit ₹42 lakh as a year’s arrears within four weeks.
Court Says Husband Misled Judiciary With False Statements
“He has not come to court with clean hands. There is not only material suppression of his financial strength to undermine the application of legal principles for considering the quantum of maintenance, there are also positive misstatements in his claims to be a person of poor means unable to pay even the low maintenance originally granted,” the court stated.
Couple Married in 1997, Divorced in 2023 After Cruelty Allegations
Married in 1997, the couple separated in 2013. In 2023, a Pune family court granted divorce on grounds of cruelty and fixed permanent alimony at ₹50,000 per month. Both appealed — the wife sought enhancement, and the husband sought cancellation, citing poor means.
HC Rejects Husband’s Plea, Cites Lavish Lifestyle and Wealth Transfers
Rejecting his plea, the HC said his portrayal of financial distress was “farcical,” noting that his family ran multiple real estate and finance businesses valued at over ₹1,000 crore. “By pointing to his Income Tax Returns to show taxable income of just ₹6 lakh annually, he would have the court believe that his lifestyle is financed by ₹50,000 per month. On the face of it, the import is farcical,” Justice Sundaresan wrote.
Evidence of Luxury Lifestyle Contradicted His Claims
The court cited evidence of luxury parties, foreign holidays, and transfers exceeding ₹10 crore to his brother, calling his claims “misleading and unjust.” It also took exception to his argument that his divorced wife should cut down on their daughter’s extracurricular expenses.
“That a mother dares to work hard and even claim to depend on her own brother… cannot be a disqualification for expecting that the daughter’s expenses be met by the father, commensurate with his own standard of living,” the bench observed.
Maintenance Enhanced to ₹3.5 Lakh Per Month
Holding that ₹50,000 was “hardly reasonable or logical,” the bench enhanced the wife’s monthly maintenance to ₹3.5 lakh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the initial maintenance amount granted to the wife?
The initial maintenance amount granted to the wife was ₹50,000 per month.
How much did the Bombay High Court increase the maintenance to?
The Bombay High Court increased the maintenance to ₹3.5 lakh per month.
What was the husband's claimed annual income?
The husband claimed an annual income of ₹6 lakh.
What was the value of the husband's family business?
The husband's family business was valued at over ₹1,000 crore.
Why did the court reject the husband's plea?
The court rejected the husband's plea because it found his claims of financial distress to be misleading and contradicted by evidence of his lavish lifestyle and significant wealth transfers.
Related News Articles
Understanding Long-Term Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate: Clarification on Acquisition Cost
The I-T department has provided clarity on the acquisition cost of real estate properties purchased before 2001 for LTCG calculations, which is now taxed at 12.5%.
Ajman Ruler Inspects Expansion of Ajman Hotel Project
His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, the Ruler of Ajman, recently visited the site of the Ajman Hotel expansion project. The project, managed by Ajman Real Estate Corporation (Aqar), includes the construction of 13 new villas, 12 suites, swimm
FICCI-ANAROCK Report: Real Estate Dominates as Top Investment Choice in H1 2024
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and ANAROCK Property Consultants have released the 'Homebuyer Sentiment Survey - H1 2024' highlighting significant shifts in homebuyer preferences and investment trends in India’s real est
NGT Orders BramhaCorp to Pay Rs 30.11 Mn for Breaching Pune Eco Norms
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Pune has ordered the local real estate firm BramhaCorp to pay Rs 30.11 million as compensation for violating environmental norms in the city.
Mumbai Man Falls Victim to Rs 10 Lakh Task Completion Scam: Here's How It Works
A Mumbai resident recently lost a staggering Rs 10 lakh to a task completion scam, highlighting the growing threat of such fraudulent activities in the digital age. Learn how these scams operate and how to protect yourself.
Magicbricks: New and Resale Property Listings on Par in Q4 2024
New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) The share of new and resale properties listed on the real estate platform Magicbricks was almost equal during the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting a balanced market trend.