A man who deserts his family must face the consequences, ruled the Supreme Court of India. The judgment came from a two-judge bench based on a petition filed by an AP woman against her husband.
The husband works as a senior travelling inspector in Kakinada. The woman sought Rs 10,000 each for herself and their two children, totalling Rs 30,000 per month. A lower court had earlier awarded Rs 6,000 per person. The High Court also gave a similar ruling, after which she approached the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court directed the husband to pay Rs 25,000 as alimony. The husband’s lawyer argued that he already pays an EMI of Rs 10,500 for a house built for his ex-wife. The lawyer also stated that she owns 2.5 acres of land and a house on a 300-yard plot, earning Rs 15,000 from the house and Rs 3.5 lakh annually from the farmland.
The husband’s lawyer further said he has responsibility for his mother and mentally challenged sister. However, the court noted that a man earning Rs 1.6 lakh per month can give Rs 25,000 to his wife and children. The bench stated that Rs 6,000 per child would not even cover basic needs like a school uniform. They observed that a husband remains responsible for wife and children after his mother.
The Supreme Court ordered Rs 25,000 alimony with a 5 percent annual increase.
