Woman demands Rs 500 cr as 'permanent alimony'! SC warns misuse of 498A, grants Rs...

The cases of divorce, monthly maintenance and alimony seem to have surged in India in recent times. The recent shocking case of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, who killed himself on December 9 after leaving behind a video, has triggered an uproar. Meanwhile, several such disturbing cases are being reported from various places highlighting rising marital disputes. Recently, another such case has come to light in which a woman demanded Rs 500 crore from her husband as 'permanent alimony'.

As per reports, the couple met through an online matrimony portal during the COVID-19 pandemic period. They tied the knot in Pune as per Hindu rituals on 31 July 2021. It was a second marriage for both the parties. However, it proved to be a regrettable experience for the husband as he lost his USA-based business and also had to spend one month in jail as his wife filed a divorce petition along with domestic violence apart from an alimony case. The woman also filed an FIR against his 85-year-old father, his son from his first marriage, his aunt's son, his relatives and his ex-wife, who lives in the USA.

Surprisingly, the lawyer representing the woman said that she wanted to get back with her husband. However, he declined the offer and sought divorce on the grounds of cruelty. Moreover, the husband also filed a police complaint against his wife claiming that she threatened him with dire consequences like taking her own life and filing false criminal cases against him and his family.

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Reportedly, despite having Rs 1.05 crore worth of bank FDs, cash, etc, the woman took Rs 12 lakh from her husband and demanded even more. Moreover, she argued that her husband had both the means and ability to provide more alimony. She also claimed that her husband had Rs 5000 crore worth of assets, a USA-based business, multiple house properties in Pune, Bhopal and in several other cities.

While the husband was ready to pay Rs 20-40 lakh as permanent alimony, his wife demanded atleast Rs 500 crore and one of the properties owned by his father.

The Family Court at Pune has assessed Rs 10 crore as quantum of permanent alimony and an additional amount of Rs 2 crore to enable the woman to acquire another flat, as she is directed to vacate her father-in-law's flats, she is presently occupying in Pune and Bhopal. Furthermore, the Supreme Court pronounced divorce between the husband and wife on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of marriage under Article 142(1) of the Constitution of India. The SC also quashed all criminal proceedings against the husband and section 498A case. 

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The SC also highlighted that there has been a growing tendency to misuse provisions like Section 498A of the IPC as a tool for unleashing personal vendetta against the husband and his family by a wife.