In Brief
Shalu Ojha sought enhancement of maintenance fixed at Rs. 50,000 per month by the Additional Sessions Judge, originally claiming Rs. 2,50,000. The dispute involved contested assertions about the respondent's financial condition and assets. The Supreme Court held that the veracity of such disputed material could only be finally determined through full oral evidence and cross-examination, not summary affidavit proceedings. It directed the petitioner to file a fresh maintenance application under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act or Section 125 CrPC for proper adjudication. In the meantime, the respondent must continue paying Rs. 50,000 monthly, and any final maintenance fixed must not be less than this amount.
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