Supreme Court issues 8-point guidelines for deciding alimony amid techie suicide case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has outlined an eight-point framework for determining alimony amounts, amidst growing discussions around the misuse of dowry laws following the suicide of Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash.
Atul Subhash, a native of Bihar, died by suicide after reportedly facing harassment from his wife and in-laws. Before his death, he left behind an 80-minute video and a 24-page note accusing his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family of using multiple legal cases to extort money from him and his family.
While addressing a divorce case on Tuesday, a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice PV Varale directed courts across the country to consider the following eight factors when determining permanent alimony:
1. Social and economic status of the husband and wife.
2. Basic future needs of the wife and children.
3. Qualifications and employment status of both parties.
4. Sources of income and property.
5. Wife’s standard of living during her stay with in-laws.
6. Whether the wife left her job to manage the family.
7. Reasonable expenses for legal battles for a non-working wife.
8. Husband’s financial status, including earnings and responsibilities alongside alimony.
The court clarified that these guidelines are not a rigid formula but serve as considerations to ensure a fair and equitable decision. It emphasised that alimony should not impose an undue burden on the husband but should enable the wife to maintain a decent standard of living.
Earlier in the day, another Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh, dismissed a dowry case, noting that Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code—meant to address cruelty by husbands and their relatives—is sometimes misused for personal vendetta.
The case of Atul Subhash has reignited debates over the misuse of dowry laws in India. In his suicide note, Subhash repeatedly wrote, “Justice is Due.”
Atul and Nikita had met through a matchmaking website and married in 2019. They became parents to a son in 2020. According to Subhash, his wife’s family allegedly demanded money amounting to several lakhs. After he refused, his wife reportedly left their Bengaluru home with their son in 2021. Subhash alleged that her family initially sought ₹1 crore to settle the case, later increasing the demand to ₹3 crore.
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Mother of Pahalgam attack victim backs operation Sindoor, calls PM's move the 'right decision'
Shivamogga: One of the martyrs of Pahalgam terror attack's mother, Manjunath Rao, Sumathi, welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate Operation Sindoor with a view to attacking terror network in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
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