Supreme Court highlights misuse of women-centric laws in marital disputes

In a significant ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court emphasized that laws designed to protect women should not be misused to harass or intimidate husbands. The court underscored that alimony aims to ensure a reasonable standard of living for dependent women, not to equalize financial statuses between estranged spouses.

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The observations were made in the context of a controversial case involving tech professional Atul Subhas, who alleged exorbitant financial demands from his estranged wife and her family. Reports stated the initial maintenance demand of ₹2 lakh per month later escalated to an annual sum of ₹3 crore.
Addressing the matter, the court dissolved the couple's marriage, citing irretrievable breakdown as grounds for the decision. The husband was directed to pay ₹12 crore as a one-time alimony settlement within a month, covering all claims.
The court clarified that an ex-husband’s financial status cannot justify indefinite support obligations, reiterating the principle of fairness in alimony determinations. It also highlighted that Hindu marriages are rooted in the sanctity of family life and should not be reduced to transactional arrangements.
This verdict serves as a reminder that legal provisions for women’s welfare must be applied judiciously, balancing the rights and responsibilities of both parties while discouraging misuse for coercive purposes.