Madras High Court grants divorce, Rs 25 lakh alimony as wife willing to stay ‘only for kids’

The Madras High Court recently granted a divorce to a married couple, awarding the wife Rs 25 lakh in permanent alimony. The court ruled that the husband must pay this sum to his wife, who has been solely responsible for their three children. Justice G R Swaminathan and M D Sumathi delivered the verdict, stating that the wife's willingness to live with her husband solely for the sake of their children did not mean their marriage could be restored.

The court found that the couple's prolonged separation and ongoing disputes constituted mental cruelty against the husband. The couple married in September 2002 and have been living apart for several years, with no meaningful matrimonial relationship between them. The wife had initially sought Rs 50 lakh in alimony, but the high court reduced her request to Rs 25 lakh, taking into account her financial needs and the husband's ability to fulfill it.