Why Madras High Court Awarded INR 1 Lakh Maintenance Despite Wife Owning Luxury Cars and a INR 1.7 Crore Flat
The Madras High Court upheld an INR 1 lakh monthly maintenance order for an estranged wife, ruling that her ownership of a luxury car and a property does not disqualify her from financial support since she lacks a regular income. Justice Sunder Mohan noted that evidence established that she lacked a regular source of income following the birth of the couple's child, a claim the petitioner failed to refute.
The Madras High Court has upheld a family court order directing a man to pay INR 1 lakh in monthly maintenance to his estranged partner, rejecting his argument that her ownership of high-value property and luxury cars disqualified her from receiving financial support. Justice Sunder Mohan noted that while the woman admittedly owned a flat purchased for INR 1.7 crore and two luxury cars, evidence established that she lacked a regular source of income following the birth of the couple's child, a claim the petitioner failed to refute.
Background of the Dispute
The legal proceedings stem from a maintenance petition filed by a woman who stated she met the petitioner in 2014 while working as a model, reports Bar and Bench. According to her statement, the man initially introduced himself as a film producer before later claiming he operated an educational institution. Childlessness Cannot Amount to Cruelty, Wife Cannot Be Blamed for Inability To Conceive: Madras High Court.
She alleged that she initially rejected his marriage proposal because he was already married, but he subsequently assured her he was divorced and presented a copy of a divorce order. The two reportedly married at a temple in Uthiramerur in January 2020 and had a son in March 2021, before the man stopped visiting them in June 2022.
The man denied the marriage took place, argued that the woman was aware of his existing marriage, and contended she had sufficient independent means based on her real estate and luxury vehicles. The family court previously ordered him to pay INR 1 lakh per month to the woman and INR 1.5 lakh per month for their minor son, noting that his monthly income stood at an undisputed INR 10 lakh and that he could not take advantage of his own misrepresentation regarding his marital status.
High Court Observations on Maintenance and Marriage Proof
Challenging the family court ruling, the husband argued that the respondent could not claim maintenance because she had failed to strictly prove a valid marriage. The High Court rejected this contention, emphasising the protective scope of maintenance proceedings under the law. "The standard of proof to establish the marriage in a claim under Section 125 Cr.P.C. cannot be the same as that is required to prove the offence of bigamy ... in a claim under Section 125 Cr.P.C. strict proof of marriage is not essential and if it is shown that the relationship was continuous and for a sufficiently long time, the marriage can be presumed," Justice Mohan observed. Madras High Court Advocates for House-Husbands As the 'New Normal'; Here's Why.
To substantiate the continuous nature of the relationship, the Court reviewed supporting records, including the child's birth certificate, Aadhaar records, and photographs. Affirming the financial obligations set by the lower court, Justice Sunder Mohan concluded: "Considering the status of the parties and the fact that the 1st respondent had established that she had no regular source of income, the maintenance quantified at INR 1,00,000/- is reasonable and no interference is called for." The High Court accordingly dismissed the revision petition, confirming the maintenance order issued by the family court.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2026 06:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
