Husband Merely Saying “Ready and Willing” To Keep His Wife Not a Valid Offer to Avoid Maintenance : MP HC

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that a husband’s mere claim of being “ready and willing” to keep his wife does not amount to a valid offer under the second proviso to Section 125(3) CrPC. Justice G.S.

The court noted that the petitioner never filed an application, stated so in evidence, or offered during cross-examination to keep his wife and child with him before the family court.

Challenging the ₹3,000 monthly maintenance awarded to the wife, he argued she was not entitled as he was willing to keep her.

The Court dismissed the revision plea, affirming the family court’s maintenance order.