Allahabad HC: Educated Wife Still Entitled to Maintenance, Husband Cannot Evade Obligation

• The Allahabad High Court ruled that a wife cannot be denied maintenance under CrPC Section 125 solely for being educated or having vocational skills.
• Justice Garima Prashad stated it's 'misplaced' for a husband to use his wife's qualifications to avoid his legal duty to maintain her.
• The court emphasized that a wife's potential to earn differs from actual gainful employment, especially after years of domestic duties and childcare.
• The High Court set aside a Bulandshahr family court order that rejected the wife's maintenance plea, which had cited concealed qualifications and living separately without sufficient cause.
• The matter has been sent back to the Family Court, Bulandshahr, for a fresh, reasoned order within one month, also noting the 'meagre' Rs 3,000 awarded to the son.

Why It Matters: An educated wife's potential to earn does not negate a husband's legal duty to provide maintenance.