Delhi Court Refuses To Increase Wife’s Maintenance says, “Husband Cannot Be Ordered To Pay Beyond His Means”
A Delhi Sessions Court refused to enhance a wife’s interim maintenance and upheld an award of ₹1,840 per month under the Domestic Violence Act. Although the court acknowledged that the amount was insufficient for her basic needs in Delhi, it held that maintenance must be based on the husband’s proved or reasonably presumed income. The wife alleged that he owned a medical store and had rental income, but no supporting documents were produced. The court therefore upheld the assessment based on applicable minimum wages and observed that a husband from poor financial circumstances cannot be ordered to pay beyond his means.