The Supreme Court ruled that a divorced wife, who remains unmarried, is entitled to maintenance reflecting the standard of living she had during marriage.
Despite the husband’s responsibilities toward his second wife, dependent family, and aged parents, the court noted his financial capacity to pay more. It enhanced the wife’s alimony to ₹50,000 per month, with a 5% increase every two years, considering inflation and her full dependence on this support.
The court clarified that no maintenance is required for their 26-year-old, financially independent son, though the father may voluntarily support him.
Case Title: Rakhi Sadhukhan Vs Raja Sadhukhan