The Madhya Pradesh High Court has enhanced the maintenance granted to a woman who was married as a child, observing that she cannot be made to suffer twice-first due to child marriage and then due to inadequate financial support. The court increased the monthly maintenance from ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 and directed that it be paid from the date of the original application.
Background of the Case
The petitioner-wife had filed an application under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on August 7, 2021, seeking maintenance. She stated that her marriage was solemnized on April 27, 2015, and alleged neglect and failure on the part of her husband to maintain her. She sought ₹10,000 per month as maintenance along with an amount towards accommodation.
The husband opposed the claim, contending that the wife was only 13 years old at the time of marriage and that no marital relationship was established between them.
Justice Gajendra Singh noted that even if the husband's version was accepted, it showed that the woman had been a victim of child marriage. The Court remarked:
“She again is being victimized by providing the only meager amount of maintenance.”
The Court further observed that a monthly maintenance of ₹2,000 could not be considered reasonable in the circumstances of the case.
Allowing the revision petition in part, the High Court enhanced the maintenance amount from ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 per month. The Court directed that the enhanced amount be payable from August 7, 2021, the date on which the maintenance application was filed.
It also observed that parents who facilitate child marriages cannot escape responsibility for the consequences arising from such marriages.
Case Details:
Case Title: Ranu v. Himashu
Case Number: Criminal Revision No. 2566 of 2023
Judge: Justice Gajendra Singh
Decision Date: 29 May 2026
