Gujarat High Court Upholds 660-Day Jail Term for Failure to Pay Maintenance

The Gujarat High Court upheld a family court order sentencing a man to 660 days of imprisonment for failing to pay maintenance of about ₹3.97 lakh to his wife and children.

The Court found no error in imposing 10 days’ jail for each month of default, which extended over 66 months.

It noted that the husband had admitted his liability and inability to pay, and had even surrendered before the court.

Holding that maintenance is a legal obligation, the Court ruled that the sentence was not disproportionate and dismissed the challenge to the family court’s order.

[Jitendrakumar Ambalal Kondi v. State Of Gujarat & Ors.]