RAJIV SAHAI ENDLAW, J

I.A. No.11046/2009 (u/Ss 18 & 20 of Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956)

1. The two plaintiffs who are the wife and minor daughter (now aged about 11 years) of the defendant, in this suit for recovery of maintenance under Sections 18 & 20 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, seek interim maintenance @ Rs.5,00,000/- per month with effect from March, 2008 with escalation of 15% per annum and a residence for the plaintiffs or in lieu thereof a sum of Rs.2,50,000/- per month towards rent.

2. The counsel for the plaintiffs has argued that the defendant is the only legal heir of M/s. Ahluwalia Contractors, which business was started by the grandfather of the defendant and is now run by the father of the defendant; that M/s. Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Limited is a listed company and the defendant has a lavish lifestyle and thus interim maintenance be fixed at Rs.5,00,000/- per month as claimed.

3. Per contra, the senior counsel for the defendant has stated that the marriage between the plaintiff No.2 and the defendant was arranged not by the parents of the plaintiff No.2 and the defendant but was against the wishes of the parents of the pla