IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA, J.
Sabbir Hussain, S/o. Phal Mohamad - Petitioner
Versus
Sakila Bano, W/o. Sabbir Hussain, D/o. Khodaddin Ansari - Respondents
Criminal Revision No. 104 of 2017
Decided On : 30-01-2023
Maintenance - Family Law - The court upheld the award of monthly maintenance to the wife, considering the evidence of the petitioner's employment and the circumstances of the case.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner failed to appear in court for a significant period after the initial filing. The petitioner was aggrieved by an order awarding monthly maintenance to the wife. The wife was ousted from her matrimonial home and subjected to physical assault and torture.
Finding of the Court:
The court chose to consider the evidence and legal provisions applicable to the case, upholding the award of monthly maintenance to the wife. The court directed the recovery of arrears of maintenance from the petitioner.
Issues: Non-appearance of the petitioner, award of monthly maintenance, evidence of employment, ousting of the wife from matrimonial home, physical assault and torture.
Ratio Decidendi: The court considered the evidence of the petitioner's employment and the circumstances of the case to uphold the award of monthly maintenance to the wife. The court also found no reason to interfere with the order of the family court.
Final Decision: The court upheld the award of monthly maintenance to the wife and directed the recovery of arrears of maintenance from the petitioner.
JUDGMENT :
From the perusal of record, it appears that no one appeared on behalf of petitioner on 17.01.2023, when matter came on board for the first time after the filing, which was made on 30.01.2017 i.e. about lapse of six years.
2. This matter was again listed today but none appeared on behalf of petitioner.
3. The petitioner is aggrieved and dissatisfied by order dated 19.11.2016 passed by Principal Judge, Family Court, Siwan, in Maintenance Case No. 253/2010, whereby and whereunder monthly maintenance of Rs.2000/- was awarded to the wife (opposite party).
4. The court is having of two options, either to dismiss this case in default giving a space to petitioner to seek restoration of case and again to keep this litigations alive, where opposite party is struggling for her maintenance, the 2nd option as available to this Court is to go through the records of the case and to take an appropriate view on the basis of materials available on the records and legal provisions as applicable to the given set of facts and circumstances.
5. The court, after considering both as discussed above choosed, the 2nd option by taking note of ultimate object of law as to save the opposite party from the hand of destitution, as therefore perused the records of the case to take an appropriate view on the basis of materials available on the records and legal provisions as applicable to the given set of facts and circumstances, for just and equitable decision.
6. The Learned Family Court directed the petitioner to pay a monthly maintenance amount of Rs.2000/- from the date of filing of this petition.
7. On perusal of impugned order, it appears that opposite party was ousted from her matrimonial home by the petitioner due to non-fulfillment of demand of dowry, which has been raised for one Yamaha motorcycle. It also appears that opposite party was subjected to physical assault and torture for which a case was registered under Section 498A of Indian Penal Code.
8. The matter was contested by petitioner before the Learned Family Court saying that opposite party willfully neglected the petitioner and she has her own source of income.
9. On perusal of impugned order, it appears that Learned Family Court examined petitioner as OPW No. 1, where he admitted marriage with opposite party. He also admitted to work in foreign country as Plumber. It is also admitted that opposite party is not living with him, whereas he denied his 2nd marriage and also the allegation of physical assault. He also denied the factum of earning as alleged by opposite party.
10. OPW No. 2, namely, Mintu Ansari also stated that opposite party is legally wedded wife of petitioner. OPW No. 2 also supported that petitioner worked in foreign country where he earned about Rs.3000-4000/- per month.
11. Finally, OPW No. 3, namely, Nazir Hussain also stated that opposite party is legally wedded wife of petitioner. This witness specifically submitted that due to quarrel and differences between the parties, the family members of petitioner ousted opposite party. This witness also admitted that petitioner was employed somewhere in foreign. From the deposition of witnesses as discussed above, learned Family Court came to a conclusion that opposite party is a legally wedded wife of petitioner and she was ousted from her matrimonial home without any just reason. The learned Family Court also came to conclusion that there is no evidence on record which may suggest that opposite party was divorced by the petitioner.
12. By taking note of the grounds, raised in present revision application and also as nothing substantial surfaced from the deposition of witnesses as discussed above, this Court find no reason to interfere with the order of the learned Family Court.
13. In the totality of circumstances, this Court finds that by no stretch of imagination, it can be argued that a sum of Rs.2000/- awarded as a maintenance amount from the date of filing is said to be excessive particularly under the circumstances when
A wife is entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure if she is unable to maintain herself, and the court must consider both the wife's needs and the husband's financi....
Family Courts may determine maintenance based on existing affidavit and pleadings when the opposite party defaults, ensuring fair assessment of financial capability and needs.
Maintenance can be awarded from the date of petition filing when neglect is established; Courts must consider the financial circumstances and needs of dependents.
A husband is obligated to provide maintenance to his wife under Section 125 of the Cr.P.C. if he has the means, regardless of the wife's alleged misconduct.
Admitted second marriage during the lifetime of the wife without due process of law as sufficient grounds to uphold the maintenance allowance.
A husband must prove genuine inability to maintain family; onus lies on him, given his earning capacity. Maintenance for wife is contingent on her ability to sustain her prior standard of living.
The central legal point established in the judgment is the husband's duty to maintain his wife and children, the discretion of the court to award maintenance based on the husband's financial capacity....
The husband has a legal and moral responsibility to provide maintenance to his wife and children, and the court must consider various factors, including the parties' status and income, in determining....
A husband is legally obligated to maintain his wife and children under Section 125 Cr.P.C., and claims of financial incapacity must be supported by credible evidence; failure to do so can result in t....
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