Prove tenancy first, Telangana High Court to landlord in 19-year row over Rs 56,000 dues

In a recent ruling, the Orissa High Court has ordered a man to pay Rs 10 lakh in permanent alimony to his estranged wife, citing concerns that he had concealed his true income by claiming unemployment and reliance on his father's pension. The court observed that the man had previously worked in the insurance industry before leaving to pursue a legal career, and he continued to make monthly payments of approximately Rs 10,000 for his car loan.

Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Chittaranjan Dash heard an appeal filed by the wife, who was challenging a family court order that had ended their marriage and ordered her to seek separate permission for permanent alimony. The court considered various factors, including the length of the conjugal life and the husband's potential concealment of his income, and concluded that a sum of Rs 10 lakh was fair and reasonable for the wife's support.

The husband had initially offered to contribute Rs 5 lakh, but the court noted his reluctance to disclose the full extent of his earnings. The man, represented by advocate Sagarika Sahoo, argued that he lacked substantial income due to his reliance on his father's pension and living with his parents. The wife, represented by advocate Rabindra Kumar Prusty, maintained that she had no independent income and was entirely dependent on her parents.

The court scrutinized the husband's claim of unemployment, finding that he had worked for an insurance firm and subsequently left to become a lawyer, earning around Rs 30,000 monthly before resigning in May 2024. Additionally, the court observed that the husband had financed a car through a bank loan and continued to make monthly installments of about Rs 10,000, indicating his ability to manage financial obligations.

Given the husband's failure to provide complete and accurate financial information, the court recommended a three-month timeframe for him to pay the full Rs 10 lakh in alimony, adjusting the Rs 5 lakh already deposited with the registrar.