Determination of permanent alimony based on husband's net salary, life expectancy, and wife's lack of independent income.

The parties were married on 28.11.2019 and subsequently resided in Pune, where the husband worked as a Senior Software Engineer

The husband filed for divorce alleging mental cruelty and refusal of conjugal rights

The wife filed a written statement alleging the husband’s adultery and physical abuse

The Family Court, Latehar, in Original Suit No. 54 of 2023, granted a decree of divorce on the ground of cruelty under Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and directed the husband to pay ₹40,00,000 as permanent alimony

Both parties appealed: the wife seeking an enhancement of alimony due to the husband's high salary and her lack of income, and the husband seeking a reduction, claiming the amount was arbitrary and excessive

During pendency, the wife alleged the husband had remarried, which the husband denied

Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which empowers courts to grant permanent alimony based on the respondent's income, property, and the conduct of the parties

Alimony should prevent destitution and maintain the standard of living the spouse was accustomed to, without being oppressive, as established in Rajnesh v. Neha (2021)

25% of the husband's net salary is a reasonable benchmark for maintenance, following Kalyan Dey Chowdhury v. Rita Dey Chowdhury (2017)

Consideration of social needs and capacity to pay (Vinny Parmvir Parmar v. Parmvir Parmar (2011))

The financial status of the wife's parents is irrelevant to the husband's obligation to maintain her (Manish Jain v. Akanksha Jain (2017))

The Court observed that the marriage irretrievably broke down after four years and the primary dispute remained the quantum of alimony

Upon reviewing the financial affidavits, the Court found the husband’s net monthly salary to be ₹2,24,208

The Court rejected the husband's argument that the wife could inherit from her parents, stating that maintenance is a marital right independent of parental wealth

To determine the amount, the Court assessed the wife's age (32) and average life expectancy (70), concluding she needed financial security for approximately 38 years

Applying the benchmark of ~25% of net income and adjusting for inflation and the "lump sum" nature of the payment, the Court found the original ₹40 Lakhs insufficient to sustain the lifestyle the wife would have enjoyed given the husband's professional status

The Court balanced the husband's responsibilities toward his aged parents against the wife's total lack of independent income

The Court partially allowed the wife's appeal (F.A. No. 247 of 2024) and dismissed the husband's appeal (F.A. No. 05 of 2025) regarding the reduction of alimony. The husband was directed to pay the ₹70 Lakhs in four installments within 12 months, with the first installment due within two months of the order. The trial court’s decree dated 06.09.2024 was modified solely to the extent of the alimony quantum