In a landmark ruling underscoring the right to post-divorce dignity and financial equity, the Supreme Court of India has increased a woman’s permanent alimony from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 per month, revising a nearly decade-old order of the Calcutta High Court.
The verdict, delivered on May 29, marks a 2.5-fold hike in spousal support, and mandates a 5% increase every two years, bringing much-needed relief to the petitioner—an unmarried, divorced woman who had been locked in a prolonged legal battle over maintenance and marital property since 2016.
A Case of Unequal Realities
The woman had argued that the ₹20,000 sum fixed by the High Court in 2016 was grossly inadequate given her former husband’s income—reportedly exceeding ₹4 lakh per month—and the standard of living she had been accustomed to during the marriage. The Supreme Court agreed, observing that the previous maintenance award did not align with contemporary economic realities.
“An amount awarded as permanent alimony must not merely prevent destitution—it should also allow for a life of dignity,” the Court stated in its order.
Property Transfer Upheld
The Court also upheld a directive requiring the husband to transfer ownership of the couple’s matrimonial home to the wife. The residence, located in Kolkata and purchased during the marriage, had been financed in part through a home loan. The Court ordered the loan to be cleared by the husband as part of the settlement, thus securing both housing and financial stability for the wife.
In response to the husband’s objections—which cited the financial responsibilities of a second marriage and dependent parents—the Court said such personal obligations could not override the constitutional and legal duty to maintain one’s former spouse.
A Wider Precedent
Legal experts believe the ruling sets a precedent for future alimony cases, particularly in recognizing the lifestyle gap created after divorce and the need to reassess fixed maintenance orders in the face of inflation and changing economic circumstances.
“This is not just a judgment about numbers—it’s about principles of fairness and gender justice,” said a senior matrimonial lawyer.