In maintenance proceedings, the court is not required to perform a threadbare analysis of itemized vouchers; instead, it may fix the quantum based on the minor's needs, parental social status, cost of living, and the custodial parent's non-monetary contribution to child-rearing.

O R D E R

The order dated 06.10.2025 of the Family Court, Kannur in M.C No.302/2023 directing payment of maintenance @ Rs.15,000/- per month to the second petitioner therein, is under challenge in this revision petition filed at the instance of the respondent in that M.C.

2. The petitioner herein is the father of that minor child to whom the Family Court ordered payment of maintenance. The M.C was filed by the wife and minor son of the petitioner, along with an original petition seeking past maintenance. A petition for divorce on the ground of cruelty, filed by the petitioner herein, was also considered by the Family Court, along with the aforesaid cases.

3. Admittedly, the petitioner has been decently employed as a Wireless Engineer at Bangalore with a monthly salary of Rs.79,938/-. His wife is also a qualified Engineer, who had been working at a high profile I.T company at Bangalore. However, she is said to have resigned the above job in connection with the delivery of the child. She is now said to be employed as Scientific Assistant and earning a handsome pay.

4. The petitioner admits his liability to pay maintenance to his child. However, the challenge in this revision petition is that the Family Court arrived at the quantum of maintenance amount without any rationale. It is contended that the Family Court did not consider any parameters for fixing the maintenance amount at Rs.15,000/- per month to that minor child. Another challenge raised by the petitioner is that, while fixing the maintenance amount of Rs.15,000/- to be paid by the revision petitioner, the court below totally ignored the fact that the mother of the child also is earning a good salary and that she is also liable to contribute towards maintenance of the child.

5. By the impugned common judgment dated 06.10.2025, the Family Court declined to grant divorce on the petition filed by the petitioner herein. The claim of maintenance of the wife of the petitioner, was also rejected by the Family Court. However, past maintenance amounting to Rs.5,40,000/- was ordered to be paid to the minor child of the petitioner in the original petition filed, seeking the aforesaid relief. In the aforesaid decision, the Family Court passed the impugned order in M.C, directing payment of maintenance @ Rs.15,000/- per month by the petitioner to his minor child. It is the aforesaid verdict of the Family Court, which is under challenge in this revision petition.

6. Heard the learned counsel for the revision petitioner, and the learned counsel for the respondent.

7. It is true that, in the impugned judgment of the Family Court, the split details of entitlement of various amounts to the minor child for his daily needs and bring up, are not given. However, it has been observed by the learned Judge that the above child required nutritious food for nourishment, decent clothing, good facilities for accommodation, medical care and all facilities for mental and physical growth. It is further observed by the court below that the child is having the right to live in accordance with the status of parents who are highly qualified and well placed Engineers. Having regard to the price index, cost of living, educational expenses, medical expenses etc., the amount of Rs.15,000/- fixed by the Family Court is on the lower side in view of the financial and social status of the parties. The mere fact that the court below had no occasion to look into the School bills, bills showing the purchase of provisions, food and cloth items to the child, receipts showing payments made for the recreational activities of the child related to sports, arts etc., cannot be a reason to hold that the said court had arbitrarily and unreasonably fixed the quantum