Karnataka High Court Doubles Maintenance for Stay-at-Home Wife, Recognizes Childcare as Full-Time Job
The Karnataka High Court has ruled in favor of a stay-at-home mother, increasing her interim maintenance from ₹18,000 to ₹36,000. The court dismissed the husband’s argument that his wife was “lazing around” despite being qualified to work. It emphasized that taking care of children involves continuous responsibilities and financial obligations.
Court Dismisses Husband’s Claims
The case involved a woman challenging a family court’s order that granted her ₹18,000 in maintenance instead of the ₹36,000 she had requested. Justice M. Nagaprasanna ruled that childcare is a full-time responsibility and not just about ensuring a child’s existence. He highlighted that homemakers work tirelessly round the clock.
The woman’s lawyer pointed out that she had quit her job at her husband’s request to focus on their children. Despite the husband earning nearly ₹90,000 per month as a Canara Bank employee, he was not paying for their children’s school fees and other expenses.
Husband’s Defense Rejected
The husband’s lawyer opposed the maintenance increase, arguing that his client’s job was unstable and that he was also responsible for supporting his elderly mother. He further claimed that the woman was capable of earning as she had previously worked as a lecturer.
However, the court found that the husband had a secure government job as a bank manager, earning more than ₹70,000 monthly. The judge rejected the claim of job instability, stating that his income would only grow over time.
Legal Precedents and Ruling
Referring to Supreme Court judgments in Shamima Farooqui vs. Shahid Khan and Reema Salkan vs. Sumer Singh Salkan, the Karnataka High Court reaffirmed that maintenance should match the wife and children’s standard of living before separation. The court concluded that the family court’s ₹18,000 ruling was insufficient.
Final Verdict
The court ruled in favor of the woman, recognizing that she had quit her job to care for her children full-time. As a result, the court dismissed the husband’s objections and increased the maintenance to ₹36,000 per month.
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