The Supreme Court of India has increased the permanent alimony awarded to a woman in a long-running matrimonial dispute, raising it from ₹15 lakh to ₹50 lakh as a one-time settlement. The judgment came in an appeal filed by M.V. Leelavathi against her former husband Dr. C.R. Kumara Swamy.
The couple married in February 2009 but the relationship turned strained soon after. In 2011, the husband approached the Family Court seeking divorce on the ground of mental cruelty, while the wife opposed and sought restitution of conjugal rights. During the proceedings, the wife was initially granted interim maintenance of ₹10,000 per month, later enhanced by the High Court of Karnataka to ₹25,000.
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In 2015, the Family Court granted divorce and awarded ₹15 lakh as permanent alimony. Both parties challenged this decision before the High Court, but the decree of divorce and the alimony were upheld in 2022. Dissatisfied, the wife moved the Supreme Court, seeking a higher financial settlement.
After considering the income and assets of both parties, the Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta observed:
"While the respondent has sufficient earning capacity as a doctor, the appellant is also highly qualified with M.Tech and LL.B. degrees. A balanced approach must be adopted keeping in mind the needs of the appellant and the capacity of the respondent."
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The Court concluded that the earlier award was inadequate to secure the wife's future and directed the husband to pay ₹50 lakh in five monthly instalments starting from September 2025.
With this order, the divorce stands confirmed, and all disputes between the parties arising from their marriage have been finally settled.
Case Title: M.V. Leelavathi vs. Dr. C.R. Swamy @ Dr. C.R. Kumara Swamy
