Dismissing an appeal by a software professional seeking divorce on the grounds of cruelty and desertion, the Telangana High Court recently directed the 42-year-old man to pay Rs 30 lakh as permanent alimony and added that he could visit his 15-year-old son only after payment of the amount. Additionally, the appellant is required to pay Rs 20,000 per month for the child’s monthly expenses.
While he was not willing to give permanent alimony of more than Rs 2 lakh, the court, in its judgment dated August 4, found it “grossly insufficient” and observed that the amount directed to be paid was the total expenses incurred by the wife – a homemaker aged 39 – for their son’s education and upbringing. The original divorce petition filed by the man, a native of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, was dismissed by the family court in December 2023 with costs.
The monthly payment of Rs 20,000 must start from August 2025 and continue till the child finishes his education, the bench of Justices Moushumi Bhattacharya and Gadi Praveen Kumar ruled.
The court noted that the couple’s minor son, born on October 10, 2009, has been living with the wife since birth. The woman has also been bearing the costs of the child’s upbringing, including his education.
The memo filed on behalf of the wife before the court shows that she has spent Rs 26,41,900 on the minor son to date. The court also noted that the child’s two-year Intermediate education costs Rs 1,13,750 per year. The court then added Rs 3 lakh to the total expenses, which brought the total to Rs 29,41,900. This amount was then rounded up to Rs 30 lakh.
A key point of contention was the husband’s complaint that he was not being allowed to visit the child. The court’s response was unambiguous and resolute: “The appellant failing to maintain the respondent (wife) or his son cannot be condoned while making an order for visitation rights.”
The high court directed the husband to pay the full amount to the respondent in four instalments between August 18 and November 3, 2025, along with the monthly payment of Rs 20,000. He was also directed to bear the remuneration of Rs 30,000 to be given to the advocate.
Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
