What does the Supreme Court mean by “sufficient means” under the Indian Maintenance Act? How does a court decide if a husband can financially support his wife? Similarly, what does it mean for a wife to be unable to support herself, and how does the court determine this?

Under the Indian Maintenance Act, “sufficient means” refers to the husband’s ability to provide for his wife’s reasonable needs based on his income, assets, and standard of living. Courts assess the husband’s financial capacity through evidence like income statements, property records, and expenses. A wife is considered unable to support herself if she lacks sufficient income, assets, or employability to meet her basic needs, taking into account her skills, health, and social circumstances.