SC: Alimony Takes Priority Over Husband’s Financial Troubles

Supreme Court Ruling: Alimony Obligations Despite Debt

The tragic case of Bengaluru technologist Atul Subhash, who ended his life due to alleged harassment by his wife and mother-in-law, has triggered significant discussions nationwide. Alongside this, the Supreme Court has issued key orders concerning alimony and divorce laws.

A Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna P, provided crucial guidelines for determining alimony in divorce cases involving Hindu couples. They listed eight factors that courts must consider while assessing final alimony amounts:

1. The economic conditions of both parties.
2. The social and financial status of the spouse and dependent children.
3. The professional qualifications and employment prospects of both individuals.
4. The income and assets of the applicant.
5. The standard of living maintained by the wife in the marital home.
6. Family responsibilities and obligations.
7. Daily expenses borne by the non-working spouse.
8. The husband’s financial capacity, income, and other maintenance responsibilities.

The court emphasized that these factors must guide decisions on spousal support to ensure fairness and uphold the dignity of those involved.

In a separate ruling, a Supreme Court bench led by Justices Suryakant and Ujjwal delivered a landmark judgment regarding subsistence allowances. The court stated that even if a husband is burdened with debt or faces financial constraints, he cannot evade the responsibility of maintaining his estranged wife and children. The bench underscored that the right to maintenance is intrinsically linked to the right to livelihood, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. It noted that ensuring a dignified life for the wife and children must take precedence, regardless of the husband’s financial hardships.

The case of Atul Subhash adds a grim dimension to these legal deliberations. Subhash, reportedly harassed and mistreated by his wife, Nikita Singhania, had faced a series of legal and financial demands. Despite Singhania’s substantial income, she had sought Rs 3 crore in alimony during their divorce proceedings and initially demanded Rs 4 lakh monthly, later settling for Rs 2 lakh. Subhash’s family alleges that false cases were filed against him and that his wife’s behavior had severely impacted his mental health, culminating in his tragic decision.

The incident has sparked outrage, with netizens demanding Singhania’s removal from her position at Accenture IT. The public outcry reflects a broader call for accountability and justice in cases where legal and financial pressures intertwine with personal relationships.