Overview
- Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma modified the interim payment on December 27 from ₹30,000 to ₹25,000 for three minor children after the father challenged earlier orders.
- The bench rejected the father’s plea that his claimed ₹9,000 monthly income excused higher support, noting inconsistencies with his income-tax returns.
- The mother sought maintenance only for the children, not for herself or rent, and is raising them at her parental home as the custodial parent.
- The ruling cites Supreme Court precedents urging proportionate contributions by earning parents and noting fathers ordinarily bear primary responsibility for essential and educational expenses.
- The court framed maintenance around child welfare and the working caregiver’s dignity, keeping the order interim as underlying proceedings continue.