On July 22, 2025, the Supreme Court of India strongly rebuked a highly qualified woman for seeking extravagant alimony including a luxury flat in Mumbai, ₹12 crore in maintenance, and a BMW from her estranged husband after an 18-month marriage.
Chief Justice BR Gavai described the demands as “excessive,” instead urging the petitioner, an MBA-holder with IT experience, to find employment consistent with her qualifications.
The court, after hearing arguments from both sides, has reserved its order and suggested a possible settlement either a flat or a lump sum while reasserting the need for a proportional and fair approach to marital maintenance in India’s changing social context.
Judicial Bench Emphasises Self-Reliance, Realistic Expectations
During Monday’s heated proceedings, the bench, led by Chief Justice Gavai, directly addressed the petitioner: “Aap itni padi likhi hai. Aapko khudko mangna nahi chahiye aur khudko kama ke khana chahiye,” which translates to “You are so educated.
You should earn for yourself.” The Chief Justice questioned the rationale behind her demand for high-value maintenance, especially over such a brief marriage, noting it was difficult to justify alimony resembling ‘manna from heaven’ given her advanced credentials and previous employment in IT.
The woman, representing herself, countered that her affluent husband a former banking executive and successful entrepreneur had compelled her to give up her financially stable job and that she had faced mental and legal harassment post-separation.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, representing the husband, argued that the law requires both dignity and reasonableness, stating, “She has to work too maintenance can’t become a tool for disproportionate enrichment.”
Rise of Progressive Legal Standards and Social Dialogue
This high-profile case comes on the heels of recent Supreme Court developments that are reshaping the national conversation on maintenance.
In June 2025, the Supreme Court reinforced the dependent spouse’s dignity through a landmark judgment by increasing permanent alimony and house transfer for women with no independent income.
Nonetheless, the court’s latest observations mark a noteworthy shift: courts are now expected to take a holistic view of each partner’s earning capacity, the duration of marriage, and genuine dependence.
Advocates for gender equality and legal reform cite this shift as a crucial balance between historical protections and modern realities.
Legal observers note a growing judicial discomfort with maintenance being exploited or demanded beyond genuine need, especially where one spouse possesses advanced qualifications and work experience.
The outcome of this case is seen as a bellwether for how Indian law will handle such claims as more educated, financially capable individuals contest alimony disputes.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This moment illustrates a turning point for family law and gender norms in India. True empowerment does not stem from entitlement, but from equal opportunity, dignity, and a sense of fair partnership. Maintenance laws exist to prevent destitution and hardship, not to create new dependencies or reward disproportionate demands regardless of gender.
As more men and women pursue education and careers, our society must foster a legal and social climate where support mechanisms are balanced and just. At The Logical Indian, we stand for solutions rooted in empathy, equity, and common sense. How do we as a nation encourage mutual respect, shared responsibility, and sustainable independence in marriages while protecting the vulnerable from genuine harm?
