‘Not excessive’: Delhi High Court backs Rs 75,000 monthly maintenance for wife, son

The Delhi High Court has upheld a decision by a family court to award monthly maintenance of Rs 75,000 to a wife and her minor son, stating that the amount was not "excessive." The case involved a man who earned around Rs 32-35 lakh annually and had separated from his wife in June 2025. The wife, who works as a tuition teacher, had filed a petition seeking maintenance from her husband claiming a monthly expense of around Rs 1.5 lakh.

The family court had directed the husband to pay interim maintenance of Rs 75,000 per month to his wife and son, with the court stating that such an amount could not be considered excessive in this case. The high court emphasized that maintenance is meant to ensure the basic sustenance and dignity of the wife and children, and to prevent "destitution" while considering the husband's obligations towards his family.

The court also noted that the family court had not provided sufficient evidence to establish the wife's earning capacity from her private tuition work, and that the husband's financial liabilities, including a housing loan, had not been fully taken into account while determining the maintenance amount.