Dr. Narendra Vidyadhar Sardesai vs Shaila

S.G. Mutalik J.

By the impugned order passed below Ex. 7, in Hindu Marriage Petition (HMP) No. 117/1990, the 4th Joint Civil Judge, Senior Division, awarded maintenance pendente lite to the respondent-wife at the rate of Rs. 3000/- per month from the date of the application and Rs. 3000/- as costs of the litigation. Both the parties have challenged the said impugned order by filing Civil Revision Application No. 1206 of 1991 (by the husbaad) original petitioner and Cr.A. No. 149 of 1992 (by the wife)- original respondent. While deciding both these matters, the original petitioner is styled as the applicant while original respondent No. is styled as the non-applicant.

It is an admitted fact that the marriage between the parties took place on 15th December. 1967 and the parties have a son by name Pranav aged about 22 years and daughter Miss Gouri aged about 21 years (vide their affidavits pages 63 and 69). For some years everything was going on smoothly between the parties. The applicant is highly qualified radiologist with all necessary equipments, X-ray machine including computer The non-applicant is also educated having passed her B.Sc Microbiology from Bombay University. Even before the marriage, she was working in the milk scheme and other places at Bombay. In HMP No. 117/90, the applicant has asked for dissolution of the marriage by passing a decree of divorce on the ground of cruelty and desertion also. By effecting the amendment, the, petitioner has added one more ground to the petition. It is alleged that the non-applicant is leading adulterous life and had illicit relations especially with respondent No. even prior to 1989. However, at this stage, it is not necessary to take into consideration these allegations because by filing separate civil revision application the non-applicant has challenged the said amendment by the trial Judge.

The non-applicant filed the application Ex. 7 u/s 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act (for short "the H.M. Act"), for grant of interim maintenance and expenses on 27-11-1990. By reserving her right to question the validity of the jurisdiction as well as her right to file written statement oh merits, she has contended that she has not served with the notice but the notice was served to the other person and from him she received ah information regarding "filing of the petition by the petitioner Under the head of divorce and hence came from Bombay for attending the case. Because of improper and treacherous treatment at the hands of the applicant, she is required to take temporary shelter at Bombay under the compelling circumstances. She has no source of income and unable to maintain herself. The applicant is rich man with influence in the society and he huge bungalow with garden, car, scooter and other luxurious items like VCR, T.V. Electric Washing Machine, Computer, Electronic Typewriter, Cooler and his clinic is equipped with an air-conditioner. He is also maintaining German highly pedigreed dogs and spending more than Rs. 2,000/- p.m. for the same. He also spends Rs. 2,000/- for maintenance of the graden. He is enjoying very luxurious life and without any fault on her part, he has deprived her from all facilities and made her condition miserable. According to her, she being his wife she is entitled to live the life in similar way in which he is living.

It is further contended that she has no house of her own at Bombay nor having any income. She needs Rs. 7,000/- p.m. by way of maintenance. She is required to spend Rs. 3,000/-p.m. by way of residence as paying guest. She has to spend on account of conveyance, the applicant is duty bound to supply the vehicle to her and in the alternative to provide Rs. 3500/- p.m. by way of conveyance charges and miscellaneous expenses. She is suffering from physical disorders and scifiea. When she was residing at Akola with the applicant, she. being the Doctor''s wife, she was getting all medical aid free of costs from the Other Doctors. However, now she is required to spend Rs. 500/- p.m. at the minimum for medical treatment. She further claimed Rs. 5,000/-by way of expenses for the litigation, travelling charges etc; for attending the case. In respect of financial position of the applicant she has contended that the applicant is earning more than Rs. 15,000/-p,m. and he is living luxuriously and depriving her even of basic amenities of life.

The applicant by his reply (page 33), denied she allegations. He has denied the allegations of improper and treacherous treatment given to her as alleged. He has further denied that he is rich and an influential person or that he is having huge bungalow with garden as alleged. According to him it is only an ordinary size bungalow and he is not the exclusive owner. It is the property of the Hindu undivided family. He has denied that there is any garden but it is an open space with huge flower plants. It is not possible for him to maintain any garden. He admits that he is having a car but .''it is a second hand, purchased by him not for his luxury but for necessity for his profession. He denied that he owns a scooter and all other luxurious items as alleged. He has electric washing machine but it is necessary for him because there is no other female in his house even to supervise domestic affairs. He purchased these articles after the non-applicant left Akola. He is required to lookafter domestic affairs and has to go to dispensary at 9.00 a.m.

He admits that he is possessing computer, typewriter, and cooler. The computer is a second hand one and is purchased at very cheap Cost. As foe is practising as radiologist, computer, typewriter and cooler are necessities for the clinic and they cannot be termed as luxury items. He is not possessing any air-conditioner or dogs as alleged. On the contrary the non-applicant is very much fond of dogs and they wryer purchased by her. While leaving Akola she did not take the dogs with her and he is forced to maintain them. If she so desires she may take away the dogs with her.

He further denied the amount of maintenance as claimed by her in the application. According to him he is required to spend a sum of Rs. 100/- to Rs. 150/- p.m. for the dogs and not Rs. 2,000/- pm. as alleged. He is not leading very luxurious life. He is residing alone at the residence and does not get even proper food. Domestic servants ate not available and specially for the timings during which he is at the residence. He is required to attend clinic from 9. am. to 9 p.m. On the contrary without any fault on his part, the non-applicant made his life miserable. It is dented that she is entitled to live life in similar way in which he is living. He has further denied that she requires Rs. 3,000/- p.m. by way of residence or even conveyance charges and its maintenance. It is not known as to why and/or what purpose she needs the conveyance. Even she cannot ask for such luxurious items under the garb of maintenance. He is not duty bound to. provide vehicle to her or to make an alternate arrangement by providing Rs. 3500/- p.m. for the same. Even he has specifically denied her ailment and the amount for medical expenses.

He has further denied that he is earning much more than Rs. 15,000/- p.m. According to him his income is in range of Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 6,000 p.m. In case if his income is calculated as contended by her, it would come to Rs. 1,80,000/- on which he will have to pay Income Tax of Rs 70,000/- However, he has to pay Income Tax of Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 15,000/- only. When she had left for Bombay he had sent Rs. 8,000/- for her expenses.. Thus he never neglected her. She of her own account and without any fault on his "part is residing at Bombay with her parents.. The amount which wos sent to her at Bombay was sufficient for her maintenance. He has further denied her contention in respect of Rs. 5,000/- required by her to prosecute the Hindu marriage petition pending against her and for travelling charges. He is required to maintain the clinic and has to spend for household expenses. He is further required to spend Rs. 25,000/- per year for his daughter Miss Gouri who is taking education in private engineering college, Shegaon. His son Praven is taking education at Pune and ho is required to spend Rs. 10,000/- per year for his education. Thus he is heavily burdened with the expenses. He is required to maintain himself at Akola by engaging servant as there is no other person in his family. He is also supposed to make provision for same future expenses. According to him if, Unfortunately, at any time tube of X-ray machine goes out of order the replacement thereof costs over one lakhs rupees.

It is further contended that he has to pay huge amount of interest on loan. He owes Rs. 71,000/- to her which carries interest at the rate of 15 per cent per annum. Even the interest from the same which the non- applicant is receiving is sufficient for her maintenance. Before the marriage she has served as Chemist with Greater Bombay Milk Scheme and was drawing a salary of Rs. 500/-p.m. which was very handsome salary in those days. It is further contended that she served with the Indian Council of Medical Research and was getting handsome salary. Even after her marriage with him she served in his clinic for which he was giving her. good salary. She had taken agency of Pest Control of India Ltd; for Akola district. She was selling insecticides to Punjabrao Krushi Vidyapeeth, Municipal Council, Akola and even to the District Court, Akola and was earning handsome amount by way of commission. She was also selling utensils. She had fancy for the dogs and was selling its puppy at very handsome price and was thus making money out of it. She was running coaching classes at Akola for different subjects and number of students used to attend the same. She was earning good money out of fees from such students. In short according to him, as the non-applicant has sufficient income of her own, it is not necessary to award maintenance pendente lite as contended and prayed for dismissing the application.

The learned trial Judge, after considering the affidavits filed by the parties awarded maintenance pendente lite at the rate of Rs. 3,000/- p.m. from the date of the application and further awarded Rs. 3,000/- to cover the expenses of the litigation etc, The said impugned order is challenged by both the parties by filing separate civil revision applications.

I have heard the arguments of Shri V.C. Daga and Mrs. K.V. Sirpurkar learned Counsel appearing for the respective parties. Though Shri V.C. Daga learned Counsel for the applicant has advanced arguments in respect of the amendment carried out by the applicant about his allegation of adultery against the non-appellant as stated above it is not possible to take into consideration these allegations at this stage especially when the non-applicant has challenged the said impugned order of amendment by filing the separate civil revision application.

In both these matters it is necessary to see if the impugned order passed by the trial Judge suffers from any illegality.

It is submitted by the learned Counsel for the applicant that only bare allegation is made by the non-applicant that the applicant is earning Rs. 15,000/-p.m. from his profession. However, she has not at all given the figures of his net income after deducting number of expenses. He further submits that the other liabilities of the applicant are not at all taken into consideration. Even no provision is shown by her in respect of income tax liability of the applicant. Similarly, personal expenses of the applicant are also not taken into consideration, for which proper reply is given by the applicant.

He further submitted that in the application Ex. 6, she has not contended anything about her own earning and has given inflated figures of the items of so called expenses. He further criticised the reply given by her in CRA No. 1206 of 1991 dated 24-1-1992. According to him, in the application Ex. 7, she has contended that she has absolutely no source of income. She never gave any particular figures and heads of expenses to be incurred by her. However, in her say she has tried to give clarification in respect of the same. At the same time while giving reply to the applicant under order 41 rule 27, C.P.C. and the affidavits filed by the applicant, it is submitted on behalf of the applicant that she has admitted about the classes conducted by her and also the income derived from the same. Further she has given clarification that she received only paltry amount which was paid by way of fees to all those students who attended the classes. On behalf of the non-applicant, Mrs. Sirpurkar submitted that the applicant filed the application HMP No. 117/90 on 24-10-1990. According to the learned Counsel, when the application Ex. 7 was filed at that time non-applicant came from Bombay to Akola to prosecute the same and at that time she was not at all earning anything muchless, conducting any classes for the students.

It is further submitted that only during summer vacation she conducted the classes for those students who were to appear for competitive examination and some of them paid her fees while the others were unable to pay. According to the learned Counsel for the non-applicant, those classes were conducted only during the vacation in the year 1991-92 from which the non-applicant earned some amount but that was not at all sufficient for her maintenance. It was more a social work than the work to earn livelihood. Though, it is contended by the applicant that the non-applicant was fond of dogs and she used to sell the puppy and that she was getting separate income from the same. It is submitted that even though the receipt in respect of sale of the dogs issued by one D.R. Bhat is in favour of the non-applicant, it is submitted that she received this amount when she was residing with the applicant and even she was required to spend the said amount for household purposes.

The certificates at pages 49 and 50 issued by the Indian National Kennel Club are dated 13-3-1987 and the same came to be transferred on the name of the non-applicant and on 20-4-1987. As such even assuming for the sake of argument that the non-applicant had earned some amount by way of sale of the dogs it was before the difference between the parties and especially when the non-applicant was residing with the applicant. There is much substance in the contention raised on behalf of the non-applicant that whatever earning she got from sale of the puppies, she was required to spend for house- hold expenses.

Much is made about the affidavits of various students who attended the said classes conducted by the non-applicant during the vacations. Shri Timishchandra Shivshankar Jani in the affidavit has stated that when he had gone to the residence of one Kanubhai in second week of May, 1991 . Kanubhai informed him about the dispute between the" present parties and they were known to him by name. He also came to know that the non-applicant was studying with him and he asked him as to whether he would allow her to take tutorial classes at his place so that he would earn. Thereafter, he had talked with the non-applicant and who informed him about her experience of teaching students since long. After discussion he permitted her to take English conversation and composition classes at his residence and she, however, told him that she would charge Rs. 125/- p.m. for each student. He has further given list of 17 students who showed willingness to attend those vacation classes. Even his two daughters also attended the classes. He has further stated about some corrections made by the non-applicant in the note-book of the students and his daughters. Mr. Madhukar Shivram Wakchaware, Dr. Vijay Ramkrishna Hiwarale, who is practising homeopathy medicine and others have sworn the affidavits accordingly. All of them have stated that they attended the classes conducted by her, during the vacation. Even some of them attended the classes in respect of competitive examinations of the nationalised banks.

Even if their affidavits are taken into consideration, at the most it can be said that the non-applicant received only some couple of thousand rupees as income by conducting the classes. However, no inference can be drawn that she earned practically the same amount every month even subsequently.

The applicant has contended that he has taken a loan of Rs. 71,000/- from the non-applicant for which he is paying interest at the rate of 15% p. a. However, it is submitted at the Bar that even till today the non- applicant has not received an interest separately from the applicant. It may be because during that period she was residing with the applicant. However, the applicant admitted that he will pay the interest on the Said amount.

While considering further arguments advanced by learned Counsel for the parties, it is submitted on behalf of the applicant that the non-applicant is educated. She knows how to earn. She was earning right from her maiden days.''She knows how to develop public relations. She is painstaking and as also Selling pesticides. She has an art of teaching various subjects. She worked as P.A. to Dr. Sardesai and she is industrious also. Hence, it is submitted that her application u/s 24 of the H.M. Act should be approached from different angle. Both learned Counsel for the parties agreed that while fixing the amount of maintenance it is necessary to take into consideration (1) status of the parties (2) wife who was then living with her husband and luxurious and necessary amenities provided to her during that period, (3) Necessitities of life, though some of the items might be luxurious, but, now a days they have become Necessitates of life, and lastly, (4) her social status.

No doubt that the non-applicant enjoyed all these facilities when the relations between the parties were cordial. However, one cannot bank upon and insist that despite unfortunate separation she is entitled to take same such treatment which she enjoyed previously. At the same time one will have to give some latitude to the earning of the applicant and the contingent unforseen expenses in his profession. Simply because the wife was moving in car before the proceedings that does not mean that the husband should provide-car to her. In view of the changing circumstances, certainly the non-applicant will have to adjust herself to the situation and the amount that will be received by her u/s 24 of the H.M. Act.

It is submitted on behalf of the applicant that his earnings are not more than Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 6000/- p.m. He has also filed the assessment orders of the income tax department (pages 53 -and 54). During the assessment year 1989-90, his total taxable income with all permissible deductions is calculated at Rs. 40, 855. Similarly, during the assessment year 1990-91, the taxable income is assessed at Rs. 63,317. It is submitted on behalf of the non-applicant that the applicant is earning much more than Rs. 15,000/-p.m. It is further submitted that the non-applicant stayed with the applicant for number of years after the marriage and being wife, she is having full knowledge about his income.

The income shown in the assessment year cannot be treated as true and correct. However, especially when the assessment orders" of the income tax department are filed on the record, no such inference can be drawn about the income of the applicant as assessed by the non-applicant. Even after giving some latitude to the income of the applicant, certainly, the amount of Rs. 7,000/- p. m. claimed by the non-applicant is ordinarily heavy and eyen beyond her requirements. It cannot be forgotten that the applicant is to maintain himself, his residence, his clinic, pay for education of his two children; So called luxurious items as stated by the non-applicant cannot be treated so because even for the medical profession of the applicant these are the necessary amenities. There may be VCR, Television, cooking range at the residence, air-conditioner, cooler etc; some times in the past these items might have been treated as luxurious but in present days they have become necessities of life.

It is submitted by Mrs. Sirpurkar that formerly, view of various High Court was that the wife should get at least l/5th of the amount of income of the husband but this view is subsequently changed and in various rulings it is held that the wife is entitled to get l/3rd of the amount out of income of the husband. At the same time it is submitted by Shri V.C. Daga that even the amount awarded to the non-applicant by the trial Judge of Rs. 3000 p.m. is inordinately heavy, because, the total amount for one year would come to Rs. 36,000/- (Rs. 3000 X 12 months). In case if the applicant is required to pay this amount it is an additional burden upon him and perhaps nothing will be left for him to maintain himself. Even to some extent, the argument advanced by Shri Daga deserves close consideration. Though it is argued on behalf of the applicant that when out serious allegations of adultery are made against the wife she is not entitled to claim interim alimony.

However, this argument cannot be accepted because in the first case though the amendment is sought by the applicant and though he has made it, it is challenged in this Court. Moreover, in the ruling reported in Dwarkadas Gurumukhdas Agraval Vs. Bhanuben, , it is observed that the right of wife u/s 24 and Section 25 of the H.M. Act, cannot be, negatived by the allegation of adultery in the proceedings. Shri V.C. Daga has further placed reliance on the ruling reported in Shri Bhagwan Dutt Vs. Smt. Kamla Devi and Another, . The observations are made in a case u/s 488, Cr. P.C. 1988 and it is observed that in determining the amount the Magistrate is competent to take into consideration the separate income and means of wife. It is further observed that scope of Section 23 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act and Section 488 are different.

However, even this ruling is not at all applicable as far as present matters are concerned. According to Shri V.C. Daga, the word income mentioned in Section 24 of the Act does not include capital assessed like land it includes only return accrued from those assets. The property which is not presently yielding any income is not to be included. However, in the present case the income of the applicant as shown in the income tax return is only taken into consideration. At the same time proposition laid down in the ruling reported in Baboolal v. Smt Premlata (AIR 1974 Rajasthan 93) that the maintenance pendente lite would be granted only if she (wife) has no independent income of her own sufficient for her support.

As observed above it is brought on the record by the applicant that the non-applicant earns some amount by taking coaching classes during the vacation but, that cannot be termed as her permanent income. As stated above, it is held that she has no independent permanent source of income.

Mrs. Sirpurkar then has placed reliance on the ruling reported iu Dev Dutt Singh v. Smt. Rajni Gandhi AIR 1984 Delhi 320, in which following observations are made.

"What is a proper proportion of the husband''s income to be given to the wife as maintenance pendente lite is a question to be determined in the light of all the circumstances of a particular case. Section 34 is not a code of rigid and inflexible rules, arbitrarily ordained and to be blindly obeyed. It leaves everything to the judge''s discretion. It does not enact any mathematical formulae of one third or any other proportion. It gives wide power, flexible and elastic to do justice in a given case."

Though it is observed that in determining the husband''s disposable income amount deposited by him in public provident fund ought to betaken into account. In the present case, the non-applicant has not stated even single word, if the applicant has kept such amount or his other assets by way of national savings certificates, fixed deposit receipts etc; Only a reference is given to the same which is not substantiated.

The evidence is brought on the record by the applicant that recently the non-applicant has purchased Bajaj M. 80 Scooter by spending Rs. 15,000/- or so. It is submitted on behalf of the applicant that if the non- applicant is not serving any where why she purchased a Scooter Bajaj M 80 by spending Rs. 15,000/- and especially when she was suffering from the diseases as stated above. It is further submitted that if she was so hard-pressed finanically it was not necessary for her to purchase the vehicle, and she purchased it for her own fancy. Even to some extent it is a sound argument which appeals to reason. However, even now a days two wheeler is not a luxury but an ordinary necessity of life. It is submitted on behalf of the applicant that in case one is using vehicle for his personal work it is because, it has become expensive to go in auto-rickshaw or cycle rickshaw and it is even not safe to travel in such vehicles. However, when the non-applicant was accustomed to move in the car during her past days, at least, there is no harm if she purchased two wheelers for her own use and which no doubt can be considered necessity and not luxury.

In view of the foregoing discussion last point to be considered is whether maintenance awarded by the trial Judge needs interference. Though at the initial stage the non-applicant claimed Rs. 7000/- by way of maintenance, at the time of hearing. Mrs. Sirpurkar filed one statement by which she claimed maintenance at the rate of Rs. 12,000/- p.m. and detailed figures of all these items are given. According to her Rs. 2,000/- are required for house rent including water and electricity charges, Rs. 3000/-for non vegetarian food, milk, bread, butter, fruits, groccery, etc; Rs. 50/- for medical expenses, and Rs. 1000, on misc. accounts. Then amount of Rs. 1,000/- is given under category contingency and lastly on account of clothings Rs. 2,000/-.

On the other hand the applicant has estimated her monthly income at Rs. 1490/-and the details of the same are as follows:

"(1) Two time meals in the form of tiffin from boarding house Rs.400/-

(2)House rent for a modest house with 1 room and kitchen at Akola Rs.400/-

(3)Milk (daily) Rs. 120/-

(4)Grocery (sugar, tea and other articles) Rs. 100/-

(5)Soap charges:-

(2) bathing soaps 2 XRs. 6= Rs. 12

(6) Rin washing state Rs. 5.50 =Rs. ll=Rs. 25/-

(6) Electricity charges 11000/-

(7)Expenses on account of clothes Rs. 250 x 3==Rs. 750/Rs. 225 p.m. Rs. 400 x3=Rs. 1200/- per year .

Other clothes Rs. 750/-

(8)Library fees Rs. 25/-

(9)Medicines Rs. 100/-

------------ Total Rs. 1490/- ------------ (Rupees One Thousand Four Hundred And Ninety Only),"

Thus practically there is vast variance in both these statements especially, when the non-applicant has purchased the vehicle.she is not entitled of a sum of Rs.1,000/- for conveyance as claimed by her. At the most a sum of Rs. 5000/- for the same can be provided for expenses of scooter repairs.

The amount which she has claimed under different head is inord mately heavy. Even at the time of the argument it is submitted on behalf of the non-applicant that taking into consideration her health she requires telephone at the residence. She is further expecting a services of Choukidar and a full time maid servant at her residence. This particular expectation is rather too much. Moreover, when a person has crossed 40 years of his age one should out all restrictions on dietary habits. On the contrary it appears that needs of the non-applicant are increasing day by day for no valid reasons. It also appears that she is expecting too much from the applicant. At the same time estimate of the monthly expenses derived by the applicant is somewhat too low One will have to take into consideration trend of rising prices of common commodities At the same time even it is not expected from the non-applicant that she should rush to the Court and ask for enhancement of the amount of maintenance.

Though reliance is placed by Mrs. Sirpurkar on the.ruling reported in Chitra Sengupta v. Dhruba Jyoti Sengupta II (1987) DMC 162 In this ruling income of the husband is Rs. 40,000/- a year. Maintenance is awarded at the rate of Rs. 7,000/- p. year and Rs. 10,000/- as cost of the litigation. All other rulings which are shown by Mrs. Sirpurkar are in respect of quantum of maintenance but at the same time one will have to take into consideration income of the applicant and the expenses which he is required to incur Even if a sum of Rs, 3,000/- as awarded by the trial Judge is to be confirmed, the applicant will be getting Rs. 36,000/- per year and that amount will be even more than half the amount of the applicant. However. I am only inclined to deduct the amount of Rs. 1,000/- which the non-applicant has claimed as conveyance charges and instead of that for maintenance of vehicle, for petrol expenses etc an amount of Rs. 500/- is awarded to her instead of Rs. 1,000/- At the same time the applicant has expressed his willingness to pay Rs 1 000/-p m to her as the amount of interest on a sum of Rs. 71,000/- which is with him'' A direc tion is given to the applicant to pay the same separately, from the date of application.

By the impugned order the maintenance is awarded to the non applicant at the rate of Rs. 3,000/- p.m. from the date of the applicant. However, I am only modifying the said order, in view of the foregoing discussion by partly allowing the Civil Revision Application No. 1206/1991 filed by the applicant Dr. N.B. Sardesai against the non-applicant.

He shall pay a sum of Rs. 2500/- p.m by way of maintenance. plus Rs. 1000/- p. m, by way of interest, which the applicant Dr.N.V.Sardesai has agreed to pay the same. Thus in all Rs. 3500/- p.m. is awarded to the non applicant from the date of the application

During the pendency of both these Civil Revision Applications, the applicant paid her Rs.5,000/- and as per the interim per the interim order in CRA No. 1206/91, he was directed to deposit Rs. 1500/- p.m. in the trial Court The said amount is to be adjusted while calculating the arrears of maintenance

Dr N.V. Sardesai the applicant is further directed to make the calculation of the amount of maintenance which is awarded to her-the amount paid by him and deposited by him in the Court and deposit the arrears within the period of three months from today.

In the circumstances both the Civil Revision Applications stand disposed of with no order as to costs.