Justice Asha Menon of the Delhi High Court recently highlighted a sad truth in family maintenance cases. She said many husbands force their wives to file execution petitions just to delay paying maintenance, even after court orders.
The court noted that some husbands try to reduce their declared income to avoid paying full maintenance. This cruel behavior causes pain to wives and children who rely on this support. Justice Menon explained this may be due to the husband’s ego or a desire to punish the wife.
The case involved a husband ordered to pay ₹20,000 as interim maintenance to his wife and child. He was supposed to clear arrears within two months and pay monthly by the 5th. But he claimed his income was only ₹28,000, and he could pay only ₹4,000 because he had to support his parents too.
The husband also accused his wife of earning ₹30,000 from private tuition. However, the wife’s lawyer showed proof that the husband earned much more, lived with his government servant father, and had no rent expenses.
Justice Menon called the husband’s attitude shameful. She said it’s unfair for a growing child and mother to manage with just ₹4,000 while the husband and his parents live comfortably spending much more.
The court also found the husband’s claim about the wife’s income to be false. It questioned why he was not trying harder to earn more and meet his responsibilities as a husband and father.
The Delhi High Court upheld the family court’s order and dismissed the husband’s plea. It also imposed a ₹20,000 cost on him for wasting the court’s time.
Be a part our social media community:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianMan.in?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/indianman.in?igsh=MWZ2N3N0ZmpwM3l3cw==
