Karnataka: Wife requests ₹6 lakh per month in maintenance, including ₹15,000 for clothing; High Court responds, "Earn your own income."
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The Karnataka High Court recently rejected a woman's demand for ₹6.16 lakh per month in alimony, stressing the importance of making realistic financial claims. The single-judge bench, led by Justice Lalitha Kanneganti, addressed the woman's request, which included ₹15,000 for clothing, ₹60,000 for living expenses, and ₹50,000 in legal fees, among other costs.
Exorbitant Alimony Request Draws Criticism
Currently receiving ₹50,000 per month, the woman sought an increase based on her ex-husband's lifestyle, arguing that his expensive clothing habits justified a similar budget for her, as she claimed to have only "old clothes." She also requested ₹4-5 lakh for medical expenses, including treatments for knee pain, which she attributed to her ex-husband’s negligence.
Court's Response: A Call for Reasonableness
Justice Kanneganti questioned the necessity of such high expenses, remarking, "Does anybody spend this much? A single lady by herself?" The court advised the woman to submit a more reasonable breakdown of her expenses for further consideration.
Warning Against Misuse of Legal Process
While the court did not dismiss the alimony request outright, it warned the woman against using the legal process for unreasonable demands. Justice Kanneganti urged the woman's counsel to guide her client better, stating, "We will give you one last chance to be reasonable... otherwise, we will dismiss the case."