Mumbai: Good conduct helps man avoid penalty

The Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate Court, while hearing a divorce petition filed by a woman against her husband, said the man isn't liable to pay compensation since he is paying half of his earnings to her as compensation of his own accord.

The man, an employee with the Bombay High Court, had been married for 38 years. However, in 2015, the couple decided to end their marriage after the wife filed a case of domestic violence. She said the man was involved in physical abuse and wasn't maintaining her. She also accused him of neglecting his responsibilities.

The man accepted that there used to be quarrels, but said they led a very peaceful life together for 34 years. He said he wanted to end the dispute peacefully, and said he's ready to pay Rs 5,000 from his pension towards his wife's maintenance.

"In view of the marriage and allegations against the conduct of the husband, and his fair submission of providing maintenance, the husband isn't entitled to pay compensation," the magistrate said.

The court thus awarded a monthly maintenance of Rs 6,000 to the wife.