Madras High Court Upholds ₹1 Lakh Monthly Maintenance Despite Wife Owning Flat and Luxury Cars

The Madras High Court upheld ₹1 lakh monthly maintenance for a woman despite evidence that she owned a ₹1.7 crore flat and two luxury cars.

Background and legal issue

The Madras High Court upheld ₹1 lakh monthly maintenance for a woman despite evidence that she owned a ₹1.7 crore flat and two luxury cars. The Court found that property ownership did not establish a regular source of income, while the husband's assessed monthly income was ₹10 lakh. It also reiterated that maintenance proceedings do not demand the same strict proof of marriage required in a bigamy prosecution; a sufficiently continuous relationship may support a presumption of marriage. The decision confirms that maintenance turns on actual means, dependency, status and evidence, not simply the existence of valuable assets in the claimant's name.

Why it matters

The legal effect is confined to the ruling or procedural development reported here. Party allegations and submissions are not treated as established facts unless expressly adjudicated.

Practical consequence

The parties and authorities must proceed in accordance with the operative legal position described above.

Source: Original report