Court Upholds Maintenance for Wife and Child, Emphasizing Husband's Duty

A Delhi court sustained a ruling obligating a man to pay monthly maintenance to his estranged wife and minor daughter. Dismissing his appeal, the court underlined that an able-bodied man cannot avoid legal duties by hiding income, focusing on ensuring dignified living standards amid ongoing proceedings.

A Delhi court has reaffirmed a prior decision mandating a man to provide Rs 7,500 monthly as maintenance to his estranged wife and minor daughter. The ruling emphasizes that husbands cannot neglect their legal responsibilities by obscuring their financial status.

Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan dismissed an appeal by Pradeep Kumar, a Faridabad resident, who challenged a lower court's maintenance order issued under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The court asserted that Kumar's responsibility toward his wife Priya couldn’t be overlooked due to his claimed financial constraints.

The court found no merit in his argument of unemployment and low income from buffalo milk sales. It highlighted that Kumar failed to provide evidence supporting his income claims, while underscoring the interim relief's role in avoiding destitution for the dependent spouse during proceedings.