‘Should not be gender particular’: Pune court docket orders spouse to pay alimony to husband

These days, a man who pays his wife huge post-divorce alimony rarely makes headlines. Recently, however, a family court in Pune ordered a 78-year-old wife to pay temporary alimony in an unconventional divorce case €25,000 a month to her 83-year-old husband. The couple filed for divorce in 2019 after 55 years of marriage and is now on everyone’s lips.

The 83-year-old petitioner has filed for divorce and alimony after claiming he was repeatedly molested by his 78-year-old wife. “If the husband has no source of income and his wife has an income and there are ongoing family disputes between them, the husband may also make a claim for maintenance under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. This case proves that not only the woman, but also men can get justice,” Advocate Vaishali Channe, the petitioner’s attorney, said in a media statement.

Although not much is being heard of the decision, we have spoken to Punekars who welcome the court’s move. Samreen Sayyad, 26 from Hadapsar, says the decision is “progressive”. She adds: “A concept like alimony should not be gendered. When my husband heard this news, his reaction was very positive, which was a pleasant surprise. It’s a step forward, but I hope it won’t be abused.”

Sanghvi’s Rachana Joshi considers it a “groundbreaking verdict”. The 35-year-old says: “Until now, men have always been held responsible for the woman they marry, so alimony has been expected of them. But in this case the man was wronged. And if the woman earns and the man doesn’t, I think that’s a fair decision.”

Khadki’s Saif Mulla was also surprised by the news. “When we talk about equality, we should be willing to accept that. Even a man [who doesn’t earn] may need financial support. So I think that’s a progressive step. The law should always be the same for both sides,” says the 29-year-old.

Madhura Patkar, 28, from Ravet, who only found out about the news when she spoke to us, shares: “This move will ensure that men do not face any financial pressure after divorce.”