Rs 2 cr alimony to 'working wife' cut to Rs 50L

In a recent ruling, the Karnataka High Court has reduced the permanent alimony awarded to a working wife from Rs 2 crore to Rs 50 lakh, in a divorce case involving a Mangaluru doctor and her husband. The court agreed with the husband that the initial amount was excessive for a wife who earns her own living. The High Court upheld the divorce itself, rejecting the husband's appeal to overturn the decree.

The couple had two daughters and had previously reconciled after counselling, which the court deemed sufficient grounds to keep the case alive despite earlier allegations of cruelty.

The husband's WhatsApp conversations with his wife revealed instances of physical and mental cruelty during their marriage. He had admitted to hitting his wife and expressed regret in the chats, while also displaying hostility towards his wife's parents and attempting to control her behavior. The court found evidence of the husband's actions weighing against him.

Additionally, the husband made unsubstantiated claims that his wife suffered from mental illness, which both courts deemed cruel due to the lack of medical or expert evidence.

The wife, who is a qualified, practising doctor with an independent income and her own assets, had originally sought Rs 5 crore in alimony. However, the High Court reduced the amount to Rs 50 lakh to be paid within three months, with simple interest at 6 percent a year if the payment is delayed. For the children, the mother was granted exclusive physical custody, while the father was given visitation rights every Saturday and Sunday for three hours in the mother's presence.

The husband was directed to pay Rs 25,000 a month for each child, amounting to Rs 50,000 a month in total, with annual increases until the daughters reach adulthood. The husband will also contribute to future wedding expenses based on his financial capacity.