The Supreme Court has directed an employer to deduct Rs 25,000 every month from a man’s salary and transfer the amount directly to his estranged wife as maintenance for her and their minor daughter. The order was passed after the court noted repeated non compliance with earlier maintenance directions.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan issued the direction while hearing the ongoing matrimonial dispute, emphasising that the financial support of the wife and child could not be delayed any further.

Case Involves Estranged Couple and Minor Child

According to details presented before the court, the couple has been living separately since 2022 and have a four year old daughter who currently lives with the mother. The woman approached the court seeking financial support after allegedly receiving no maintenance from her husband for several years.

A magistrate court had earlier granted interim maintenance in 2024. However, the husband failed to comply with the order, leading to arrears accumulating over time.

Husband Reportedly Failed to Comply With Earlier Orders

During the proceedings, the court noted that the husband had not only failed to pay the maintenance amount but had also ignored earlier directions issued during the litigation process.

At one stage, the Supreme Court had directed him to deposit money to cover travel expenses for mediation between the couple, but the amount was not paid. The court observed that continued non compliance left it with limited options to ensure the wife and child received financial support.

Court Opts for Structured Recovery

To enforce compliance, the Supreme Court directed the man’s employer to deduct Rs 25,000 from his monthly salary and transfer the amount directly to the wife’s bank account through electronic transfer.

The husband informed the court that his monthly income was around Rs 50,000. With the deduction order, half of his salary will now go towards maintenance payments.

The court emphasised that such a mechanism was necessary in situations where court orders were repeatedly ignored.

Maintenance Considered a Legal Right

During the hearing, the bench underlined that maintenance is not a discretionary payment but a legal obligation meant to ensure the welfare of a spouse and child. The judges stressed that the needs of the child must be prioritised and that financial responsibilities cannot be avoided.

Case Listed for Further Hearing

The matter has been scheduled for further hearing in April 2026, when the court will review compliance with its directions. The employer has been asked to ensure the deduction is carried out regularly and that the amount is transferred to the wife without delay.

The order highlights the judiciary’s willingness to use direct financial enforcement mechanisms when litigants fail to follow maintenance orders issued by lower courts.

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