₹12 Cr, BMW, & Flat After 18 Months of Marriage? SC Says: ‘Go Earn Yourself’
Nidhi | Jul 23, 2025, 17:55 IST
( Image credit : IANS )
In a striking observation, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a woman’s demand for a luxury flat, ₹12 crore as maintenance, and a BMW car after just 18 months of marriage. Chief Justice BR Gavai told the woman, an MBA and IT professional, that qualified individuals cannot remain idle and depend entirely on their spouses for financial support. The Court emphasized that interim maintenance is meant for genuine support—not for funding a lavish lifestyle—reiterating that highly educated women are expected to work and sustain themselves.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday made a strong observation while hearing a high-profile alimony case, telling a well-qualified woman demanding an extravagant maintenance package from her husband to support herself financially.
The woman, an IT professional with an MBA degree, had approached the court seeking a luxury flat in Mumbai, ₹12 crore as maintenance, and a BMW car, despite her marriage lasting only 18 months.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, heading the bench, questioned the rationale behind such demands. “You’re an IT person. You’ve done your MBA. You’re in demand in Bengaluru, Hyderabad… Why don’t you work also?” he remarked, according to reports.
The CJI further pointed out that interim maintenance is not meant to provide a luxurious lifestyle or match the husband’s financial growth. “You had a marriage for just 18 months. And you also want a BMW?” he added, underlining the court’s disapproval of such extravagant claims. 
The court’s observation comes in line with its previous stance that alimony is intended for genuine financial support and not as a means to equalize wealth between partners.
In a December 2024 ruling, the Supreme Court had noted that a wife cannot demand to be maintained at the same level as her husband if his financial status improves post-separation. Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Pankaj Mithal had then observed:
“It cannot be expected of the husband to maintain [his wife] as per his present status all his life… Asking him to maintain the same status would put a burden on his personal progress.”This approach echoes the Delhi High Court’s March 2024 ruling, where it held that the law does not support idleness. Interpreting Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which governs maintenance for wives, children, and parents, the court said:
“A well-educated wife, with experience in a suitable gainful job, ought not to remain idle solely to gain maintenance from her husband.” 
Legal experts point out that while Section 125 CrPC ensures financial support for wives, it does not grant an unconditional right to live off a spouse when the woman is well-qualified and capable of earning.
This ruling sends a clear message: qualified women are expected to make use of their skills instead of relying on their ex-spouse’s wealth for luxuries. 
This observation could influence future alimony disputes, especially where well-educated, employable spouses seek extravagant interim maintenance. It draws a clear line between genuine support and excessive demands, making self-reliance a legal expectation for qualified individuals.
The woman, an IT professional with an MBA degree, had approached the court seeking a luxury flat in Mumbai, ₹12 crore as maintenance, and a BMW car, despite her marriage lasting only 18 months.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, heading the bench, questioned the rationale behind such demands. “You’re an IT person. You’ve done your MBA. You’re in demand in Bengaluru, Hyderabad… Why don’t you work also?” he remarked, according to reports.
The CJI further pointed out that interim maintenance is not meant to provide a luxurious lifestyle or match the husband’s financial growth. “You had a marriage for just 18 months. And you also want a BMW?” he added, underlining the court’s disapproval of such extravagant claims.
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( Image credit : IANS )
In a December 2024 ruling, the Supreme Court had noted that a wife cannot demand to be maintained at the same level as her husband if his financial status improves post-separation. Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Pankaj Mithal had then observed:
“It cannot be expected of the husband to maintain [his wife] as per his present status all his life… Asking him to maintain the same status would put a burden on his personal progress.”
Delhi High Court on ‘No Idleness’
“A well-educated wife, with experience in a suitable gainful job, ought not to remain idle solely to gain maintenance from her husband.”
Alimony for Qualified Women — What the Law Says
Alimony
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This ruling sends a clear message: qualified women are expected to make use of their skills instead of relying on their ex-spouse’s wealth for luxuries.
Key Takeaways from the SC Observation
SC Collegium recommends appointments in nine different HCs.
( Image credit : IANS )
- Marriage length matters: The couple was married for only 18 months.
- Qualifications matter: The woman holds an MBA and works in IT, making her employable.
- No free rides: Lavish alimony demands (like BMWs and luxury flats) are unlikely to be entertained if the woman can earn.