Madras High Court Cancels Maintenance Order, Cites Lack of Proof of Marriage

The Madras High Court set aside a Family Court order directing a man to pay monthly maintenance to his wife, holding there was no credible evidence to establish their marriage.

The Court noted the trial judge wrongly relied solely on the wife's witness without considering the husband's evidence.

The wife claimed marriage and cohabitation, but the husband denied the marriage and alleged the suit was instigated by his sister. Both parties presented witnesses, but all were found unreliable due to bias.

Hence, without proof of marriage, the husband was not obligated to pay maintenance.