In Brief
A married woman and her minor son sought maintenance from the father, but the High Court denied maintenance to the mother, citing her gainful employment, and reduced the child's maintenance to Rs.15,000 per month. The Supreme Court set aside this order, holding that maintenance cannot be decided solely on employment status. The Court directed the family court to reassess maintenance considering both parties' income, dependents, and circumstances—including the father's pandemic-affected pilot income. The father was directed to pay actual educational and medical expenses, Rs.30,000 monthly for child expenses, Rs.11,000 for rent, and Rs.1,00,000 as litigation costs, pending a final decision within six months."
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