Husband's job to maintain wife in comfort, says court

It is a husband's job to maintain the comfortable life of his wife, a court said here while dismissing a plea challenging a maintenance order.

The order by Additional Sessions Judge Anuradha Shukla Bhardwaj came while dismissing a revision plea of a man who challenged a magisterial court order that directed him to pay Rs.15,000 per month to his estranged wife as maintenance.

The man challenged the magisterial court order, saying he had to leave his job due to persecution and vilification of his wife and he did not have sufficient means to even support himself.

"The appellant (husband) with his calibre and status would have got a job by now and if not, to maintain his wife, he is expected to dispose of his assets and give a suitable and comfortable life to all the dependents, including his wife," the judge said Wednesday.

The court observed that the man was spending much more than he was earning and it indicated that he did not disclose his income honestly.

The couple got married in April 1, 2013. Later, the wife alleged cruelty and harassment and sought maintenance.

The woman asked the court whether her husband left his job to avoid paying the maintenance.

The court said the man had an additional income of Rs.63,000 per month from his two houses.

"The appellant (husband) apparently has assets, including immovable properties. The respondent (wife) is his legally wedded wife and though she has been provided a house, her other day-to-day expenses need to be taken care of, for which Rs.15,000 is a very reasonable amount," the court said.