The Indian Supreme Court has recently underscored the critical need for judicial balance in determining alimony, emphasizing that it should serve as a means of support and not as a tool for punishing a spouse. In a recent ruling, the court enhanced the alimony amount in a specific case from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh, highlighting the importance of ensuring the dependent spouse has a sufficient source of income post-divorce.

The core principle articulated by the Supreme Court is that while granting alimony, the objective is to prevent the dependent spouse from being left destitute upon the dissolution of the marriage. Justices Sanjay Karol and Manoj Misra stressed the necessity of maintaining equilibrium between the interests of both parties involved. In the particular case before them, the court deemed the High Court's initial alimony determination of ₹1 lakh as insufficient, leading to the enhancement to ₹5 lakh. This revised amount was stipulated as a comprehensive settlement of all claims, effectively subsuming other related maintenance proceedings.

This recent instance is not an isolated event but part of a larger trend where the Supreme Court has been actively involved in shaping the landscape of alimony laws to reflect current economic realities and societal norms. For example, in another significant ruling, the Supreme Court ordered a husband to provide his divorced wife with ₹50,000 per month as permanent alimony, with a provision for a 5% increase every two years to account for inflation and rising living costs. Moreover, the court upheld the High Court's order to transfer the title deed of a house to the wife, further securing her financial stability. The court stated that a wife who remains unmarried and lives independently is entitled to a maintenance level that mirrors the standard of living she enjoyed during the marriage, thereby safeguarding her future.

In the case of Rakhi Sadhukhan v. Raja Sadhukhan, the Supreme Court increased the permanent alimony from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 per month, along with the 5% increment every two years. The court also validated the transfer of the ex-husband's flat to her name, setting a significant precedent for divorce maintenance in India. The judges emphasized that courts must consider the marital standard of living, the husband's complete earning history, and the wife's future financial needs when determining alimony.

These rulings collectively highlight the Supreme Court's commitment to ensuring that alimony serves its intended purpose: to provide a fair and reasonable standard of living for the dependent spouse, rather than to equalize wealth or punish the other party. The courts are increasingly taking into account factors such as inflation, the standard of living during the marriage, and the financial capabilities of the spouses to arrive at equitable alimony amounts. These considerations reflect a pragmatic approach aimed at balancing the rights and needs of both parties involved in divorce proceedings.