Delhi High Court: Personal Loan or EMIs Cannot Cannot Override Maintenance Obligations

The Delhi High Court has ruled that personal loans or EMIs and other voluntary financial commitments cannot override a husband's legal duty to maintain his wife and child.

A division bench upheld a family court order directing the husband to pay ₹15,000 per month as interim maintenance under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act.

The husband argued that his expenses, including EMIs and insurance premiums, reduced his ability to pay.

However, the Court held that such voluntary liabilities cannot justify avoiding maintenance responsibilities, especially when the wife is unable to work due to health issues and childcare.