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ARINDAM SINHA, AVNISH SAXENA
Savita Devi @ Pinki Gautam @ Shivangi Shishodiya – Appellant
Versus
Jitendra Gautam – Respondent
JUDGMENT
Arindam Sinha, J.—The appeal has been preferred by the wife against judgment dated 3rd May, 2025 of the Family Court dismissing her application under section 24 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, for maintenance pendente lite and expenses of proceedings. Respondent-husband had filed petition in the Family Court to declare the marriage void on ground that it contravened clause (i) in section 5. It is during pendency of the husband’s petition that appellant had filed for maintenance.
2. The Family Court upon hearing the parties and going through the documents on record found appellant to have been guilty of concealment regarding previous marriage, to cause doubt, due to which it was not appropriate to give maintenance amount under section 24. The learned Judge said that appellant’s previous marriage ended only on 15th April, 2024.
3. Mr. Arun Kumar Tripathi, learned advocate appears on behalf of appellant and submits, there was long association between appellant and husband. The husband cannot feign ignorance regarding knowing everything about his client. After long relationship, the marriage was solemnized on 10th February, 2021 at Jhansi, according to Hindu customs and rituals.
Suit by husband seeking invalidation of marriage – Wife is entitled maintenance pendente lite and expenses of proceedings.
Maintenance pendente lite is a right for a spouse lacking sufficient income, independent of allegations regarding previous marriages.
The court emphasized that interim maintenance must be reasonable and based on the financial needs of the petitioner, regardless of the ultimate outcome of the divorce proceedings.
The court reaffirmed the necessity of financial support for a dependent spouse during proceedings, emphasizing the discretion courts have in evaluating alimony based on financial circumstances.
Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act mandates maintenance for spouses lacking independent income, emphasizing financial support during matrimonial disputes.
Courts must assess maintenance amounts based on the true financial status of the parties, ensuring that the awarded maintenance is reasonable and reflects the family's needs.
Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 aims to provide financial assistance to a party in a matrimonial dispute who lacks independent income, considering the inability to maintain themselves and ....
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