The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently emphasized the need to discourage false claims made in legal proceedings. This observation came during a case where a woman concealed her job and income details while filing a maintenance plea under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The petitioner, Ritu, challenged a Family Court order from Ambala, which had initiated an inquiry into charges of giving false evidence under Section 191 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), punishable under Section 193 IPC. The inquiry stemmed from her failure to disclose her employment as an Assistant Professor with a monthly salary of ₹28,000 during her maintenance plea.
Ritu had filed the plea on July 26, 2017, stating she had no income or assets to support herself and her daughter. However, during court proceedings, records revealed she had been employed since July 3, 2017. Confronted with this evidence, she admitted to withholding the information.
The Family Court determined that her actions amounted to false evidence, warranting further investigation under Sections 191 and 193 IPC. The High Court supported this decision, stressing that individuals seeking maintenance must provide honest and accurate details about their financial situation.
The Court highlighted that maintenance pleas are intended for those genuinely unable to support themselves or their children. Concealing financial information undermines the purpose of such provisions and impacts the fair determination of maintenance.
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