23 August 2024: In a notable judgment, the Karnataka High Court has refused a woman’s plea seeking more than ₹6 lakh per month as alimony from her ex-husband, advising her to consider earning if she wishes to maintain a higher standard of living. The ruling has garnered widespread praise on social media, where a video of the proceedings has already amassed over 2 million views, reports the Hindustan Times.
Justice Lalitha Kanneganti, who presided over the case, dismissed the woman’s request, cautioning her against “exploiting the process of the court.” The woman, through her lawyer, argued that she required ₹4 to 5 lakh per month for knee pain treatment, physiotherapy, medicines, and other related expenses. Additionally, she sought ₹50,000 monthly for what she termed as “basic needs,” which included bangles, sandals, slippers, watches, and ₹60,000 for food.
During the proceedings, the woman’s lawyer pointed out the disparity in their lifestyles, noting that her ex-husband frequently wore high-end branded clothing, such as Calvin Klein t-shirts priced at ₹10,000 each, while she had to make do with old dresses. The argument was aimed at justifying the high alimony demand, but the court found it unconvincing.
Justice Kanneganti’s ruling also considered the claim made by the respondent’s counsel that the petitioner had ₹63 lakh in shares, as per her bank statement, further weakening her case for such a high maintenance amount.
The court’s decision has been hailed as a significant step toward ensuring that the judicial process is not misused for unreasonable financial demands. This judgment underscores the importance of fairness in maintenance cases, reaffirming that while dependents should be supported adequately, the financial burden on the payer must also be just and reasonable.
