The Supreme Court, in a significant ruling, has laid down an eight-point formula for deciding alimony amounts in divorce cases. This decision came during the hearing of the divorce case between Praveen Kumar Jain and Anju Jain, where the court ordered the husband to pay ₹5 crore as alimony to his wife.

A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Prasanna V. Varale emphasized the need for courts across the country to consider these factors while deciding maintenance amounts post-divorce.

The Eight Factors for Alimony Determination

Social and economic status of both the husband and wife.

Future basic needs of the wife and children.

Qualification and employment status of both parties.

Sources of income and assets of both spouses.

Standard of living of the wife during her time at her in-laws' home.

Whether the wife left her job to care for the family.

A reasonable amount for legal expenses for a wife who is unemployed.

The husband’s financial status, income, and other responsibilities, alongside the maintenance amount.

Key Details of the Jain Divorce Case

The couple, who lived together for six years after marriage, spent the next 20 years apart due to irreconcilable differences. Allegations of incompatibility and strained relations marked their relationship. Praveen Kumar Jain alleged that Anju was hypersensitive and indifferent toward his family, while Anju accused Praveen of mistreatment.

The court observed that the marriage had irretrievably broken down and approved the divorce with specific conditions, including a provision of ₹1 crore for the financial security of their adult son.

Alimony Decision Amid Public Discourse

The ruling comes amid heightened public attention following the suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, who reportedly ended his life on December 9 after years of legal disputes with his estranged wife.

Subhash, a 34-year-old engineer from Uttar Pradesh, left behind an 80-minute video and a 24-page note accusing his wife and in-laws of harassment, including false allegations and excessive maintenance demands.

Broader Implications

The Supreme Court’s decision aims to provide a structured approach for courts to ensure fairness in alimony rulings, considering both the needs of the wife and the financial capacity of the husband. At the same time, it underscores the need for judicial reforms to address prolonged legal battles, which can lead to emotional and financial strain on all parties involved.

This landmark ruling has sparked nationwide discussions on alimony, justice, and the emotional toll of prolonged divorce cases, pushing for more balanced and timely resolutions in matrimonial disputes.