In Brief
A wife sought maintenance under the Domestic Violence Act after living separately from her husband for nearly ten years. The trial court initially granted Rs. 2,50,000 monthly maintenance, which the Additional Sessions Judge reduced to Rs. 50,000 monthly. The Supreme Court held that summary domestic violence proceedings were insufficient to finally decide maintenance when major disputes existed about the husband's financial means and the wife's actual expenditure. The Court directed the wife to file a fresh application under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act or Section 125 CrPC, where both parties could lead full oral and documentary evidence. Pending such proceedings, the husband must continue paying Rs. 50,000 monthly, and any final maintenance shall not be less than this amount.">
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