Whether educated wife entitled to maintenance from her husband even if she resides in a matrimonial home?
The factual matrix of the case was that a woman had filed a complaint against her husband under “section 12 of Protection of women from domestic violence act, 2005”. In the complaint, the woman has accused her husband and in-laws of threatening her with domestic violence for dowry.
The husband denied all the allegations against him and; her husband not mentioned anywhere in his reply to the complaint the source of earning of the complainant. The trial court said that women are not entitled to any compensation on the ground that the woman is literate and procured a B. A and B.Ed. degree and dismissed the plea of women seeking interim maintenance.
The question before the court;was whether a literate woman is entitled to maintenance even if she lives in a matrimonial home.
Judge Saroha pointed out the husband was silent on the point that his wife was earning a decent amount for herself; the wife had alleged that despite her qualifications, she was not allowed to work by her husband.
The court further stated that in Indian society; an educated woman may not be allowed to have a regular job as she is supposed to meet the needs of a matrimonial home.
In the judgment, the court stated that the trial court was wrong in arriving at the conclusion;that the aggrieved wife is residing in her matrimonial home, she is not entitled to maintenance; and court held that the wife is entitled to maintenance from her husband; even if she lives in the same household and allowed the plea for interim maintenance.
the husband was maintaining his wife only on the fact that; he was taking care of his children’s education.
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