Mr Sathish from Nelamamngala, Bangalore Rural, Karnataka had challenged a Rs 9,000 monthly maintenance order in high court, arguing that his wife Jyothi, had left home with their minor daughter without informing him. He also claimed that even when she lived with him, she showed no concern for his parents. The Karnataka HC dismissed these arguments, stating that a wife cannot be compelled to seek permission to visit her parents or forced to care for her in-laws, thus upholding the Rs 9,000 monthly maintenance order.
Advocate Shivamurthy, representing Sathish, said before the Karnataka High Court that Jyothi left voluntarily, taking their minor daughter with her. Shivamurthy also mentioned that Sathish had never neglected or refused to maintain her or their child but he worked as a coolie and also had the added responsibility of caring for his parents. Therefore, Shivamurthy pleaded that Sathish cannot afford to pay a huge sum of Rs 5,000 for Jyothi’s maintenance and Rs 4,000 for their minor daughter’s upkeep.
