The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that a husband must prioritize maintenance payments to his wife and children, even if he claims financial burdens. Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri dismissed a plea by petitioner, a Senior Male Nurse at SMS Hospital Jaipur. He challenged a ₹24,700 monthly maintenance order issued by the Family Court. He argued he could not afford the amount due to EMIs and his ailing mother’s care. However, the Court stated that under legal and social duty, the husband must earn more if needed to fulfil his obligation. The wife, a teacher with no income records produced, has custody of their two minor children aged 8 and 6. The Court noted that the maintenance amount is not excessive given today’s inflation and schooling expenses.
It rejected husband’s claim that liabilities justify denying support to wife and children. The bench held that the Family Court’s decision was reasonable and dismissed the petition.
