The Supreme Court refused to grant divorce remarking that the amount being paid was modest by present-day standards.
The Supreme Court asked the husband to “be quiet and continue paying” the maintenance.
The Supreme Court of India on Friday refused to grant divorce to a 54-year-old man who has been paying Rs 15,000 per month as maintenance to his estranged wife for the past 16 years, observing that the amount was “hardly anything” in today’s context.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta asked the man to present a reasonable proposal for permanent alimony if he wanted the Court to consider his plea for dissolution of marriage.
During the hearing, the man argued that the monthly maintenance of Rs 15,000 was a significant burden, given his income of Rs 65,000 per month. However, the Bench was not convinced, remarking that the amount being paid was modest by present-day standards.
The Court orally observed, “Rs 15,000 is hardly anything these days. If you come up with an offer for permanent alimony, we could still consider granting divorce. Otherwise, shaanti se baitho, dete raho Rs 15,000, khush raho” (sit peacefully, keep paying Rs 15,000, and stay content).
The man had challenged a High Court order in the top court. During the hearing, the Court asked why he refused to live with his wife. “Keep your wife with you. What is the problem?” the Court asked.
The man’s counsel responded that the couple had been living separately for over a decade and a half due to temperamental differences.
Meanwhile, the wife’s counsel said that she wants to return to her husband and is not interested in permanent alimony. The Court was also informed that the couple has no children and that the wife is currently living with her mother.
The matter will next be heard on April 7.
April 10, 2026, 19:26 IST
Read More
