Madras High Court sets aside interim maintenance order for financially independent wife

The Madras High Court set aside a Family Court order that directed a husband to pay ₹30,000 per month interim maintenance to his wife during divorce proceedings.

Justice Balaji noted that the wife possessed immovable properties and earned substantial income through dividends, enabling her to maintain a comfortable lifestyle without additional support.

The Court found the wife's act of re-transferring property to her father during proceedings non-bona fide. The husband did not contest maintenance for their son, which the court upheld.

It emphasised interim maintenance aims to ensure reasonable living standards for financially dependent spouses under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act.

[Dr. C. Amarnath v Dr.J.Remabarathi]