In a strong and thought-provoking observation, the Supreme Court of India recently emphasized that financially qualified women should aim to be self-reliant rather than seeking large sums in interim maintenance from their spouses—especially when the marriage was short-lived.The statement came during the hearing of a high-profile alimony case. The woman involved, an IT professional with an MBA degree, had sought an expensive apartment in Mumbai, ₹12 crore as maintenance, and even a luxury BMW car—after just 18 months of marriage. Her demands raised eyebrows in the courtroom, as per a report by Bar and Bench.The case was heard by a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria. CJI Gavai— while addressing her plea— highlighted her educational and professional background, pointing out that someone with her qualifications was more than capable of earning a living. “You’re an IT person. You’ve done your MBA. You’re in demand in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad… Why don’t you work?” he asked during the proceedings, as reported by NDTV.
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The CJI also commented on the property and alimony she demanded, considering the short duration of the marriage and further said, as per Bar and Bench, “It lasted just 18 months. And you are seeking a crore a month?” He questioned whether it was fair to expect such a high standard of living without making an effort to be financially independent.In response, the woman said that her husband is wealthy and had filed for annulment, citing mental health grounds, including schizophrenia.The Court ultimately gave the woman two choices: Either accept the flat free of any legal complications or opt for a one-time lump sum settlement of ₹4 crore. The CJI further added, as per Bar and Bench, “You are well educated. You should not be depending on handouts. You should earn and live with dignity.”Similar incidents in the pastThis isn’t the first time Indian courts have taken a stand on the issue. In March 2025, the Delhi High Court stated that Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)— which deals with maintenance— is meant to provide protection, not to reward unwillingness to work. The court added, “A well-educated wife with the ability and past work experience should not remain idle solely to claim maintenance.”Similarly, in another landmark judgment in December 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that a wife cannot demand alimony simply to match the husband’s wealth after divorce. The bench clearly said that a husband cannot be expected to maintain his ex-wife as per his improved financial status for life.The message from India’s top courts is clear: Maintenance laws exist to support those who genuinely need it— not to enable luxury lifestyles when one is capable of self-sufficiency. In today’s evolving world, education and professional skills are empowerment tools—and the courts are encouraging women to use them.
