Wife's Maintenance Can Be 25% of Husband's Income: Allahabad High Court

• The Allahabad High Court ruled that a wife can be awarded up to 25% of her husband's income as maintenance.
• The court dismissed Suresh Chandra's petition, upholding the Family Court's decision to increase his wife's maintenance from Rs 500 to Rs 3,000 per month.
• Justice Madan Pal Singh emphasized the husband's sacred and legal duty to maintain his wife if she cannot support herself.
• The High Court noted that the husband did not claim physical disability and the wife had no independent income, presuming her inability to maintain herself.
• Citing Supreme Court judgments, the court calculated that even a labourer earning Rs 18,000 monthly could pay Rs 4,500 (25%) as maintenance, making Rs 3,000 reasonable.

Why It Matters: Allahabad High Court affirms wife's right to maintenance up to 25% of husband's income, citing legal and moral duty.