The Bombay High Court on Monday delivered a significant order in the high-profile matrimonial dispute between industrialist Jaidev Rajnikant Shroff and his estranged wife, Poonam Jaidev Shroff. Justice Milind N. Jadhav set aside a family court ruling that had refused Poonam's request for financial disclosure by her husband. The judge ruled that disclosure of assets and liabilities is mandatory not only at the interim maintenance stage but also during the determination of permanent alimony.
Background
The couple married in 2004 and have one daughter. In 2015, Jaidev filed for divorce alleging cruelty. Litigation since then has sprawled across multiple courts. Interim maintenance had been fixed earlier at ₹7 lakh per month for Poonam and ₹5 lakh for the child, with an additional ₹20 lakh towards litigation expenses. That interim order, challenged up to the Supreme Court, still stands.
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During cross-examination, Jaidev avoided questions on his wealth. Poonam’s legal team insisted that as per the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Rajnesh v. Neha, both parties must file affidavits disclosing income, assets, and liabilities. The family court, however, dismissed her plea earlier this year, stating that no such disclosure was needed at the stage of permanent alimony.
Court's Observations
Justice Jadhav disagreed with the family court's interpretation. The bench pointed out that subsequent Supreme Court rulings, particularly in Aditi alias Mithi v. Jitesh Sharma, had clarified the issue.
"The directions in Rajnesh are not confined to interim maintenance. They extend to all maintenance proceedings, including permanent alimony," the judge noted.
He also called the earlier Bombay High Court judgment in Jeevanjyoti Kaur Bansal v. Kulvinder Singh Bansal "per incuriam" (legally flawed), as it had failed to consider later and binding precedents.
"Maintenance is not a matter of charity, it is a part of basic human rights," Justice Jadhav observed during the pronouncement.
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Decision
The High Court quashed the family court's order of January 31, 2025. Jaidev Shroff has now been directed to file a complete affidavit disclosing his assets and liabilities within three weeks before the family court. The order stressed that without such transparency, fair determination of permanent alimony would be impossible.
When senior advocate Atul Damle, appearing for the husband, sought a stay of the ruling to approach the Supreme Court, the judge declined, citing earlier directions for expeditious disposal.
"Considering the strict timeline already fixed by the Supreme Court, this Court is not inclined to grant any stay," Justice Jadhav said.
With that, the writ petition filed by Poonam was allowed. The matter will now proceed in the family court with the fresh disclosure forming the basis of final arguments.
Case Title: Poonam Jaidev Shroff v. Jaidev Rajnikant Shroff
Case Number: Writ Petition No. 4414 of 2025
Date of Decision: 29 September 2025
Petitioner's Counsel:
- Mr. Girish Godbole, Senior Advocate
- Assisted by Ms. Chandana Salgaonkar, Ms. Kimaya Prajapati, Ms. Vinita Dandekar (Naik Naik & Co.)
Respondent's Counsel:
- Mr. Atul Damle, Senior Advocate
- Assisted by Mr. Sameer Tapia, Ms. Siddhi Doshi, Mr. Rohan Marathe (ALMT Legal)
