The Supreme Court witnessed a dramatic moment on Tuesday during a marital dispute hearing when a woman, representing herself, made a striking alimony demand. She sought a luxury flat in Mumbai’s Kalpataru project, maintenance totaling Rs 12 crore, and a high-end BMW car. The bench was led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai.
When the Chief Justice asked her to specify her demands, she confirmed the house, the substantial monthly maintenance amounting to Rs 12 crore, and the BMW. The court took note of the unusually high claim, especially since the marriage lasted only 18 months.
Noting her educational qualifications—an MBA in Information Technology. CJI Gavai questioned, “You are an IT professional with an MBA, in demand in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Why don’t you work?”
Looking at the alimony demand, which roughly equated to Rs 1 crore per month of marriage, the Chief Justice asked, “Your marriage lasted just 18 months, and you also want a BMW?”
The woman countered by alleging that her husband, a wealthy man, sought annulment on the grounds of schizophrenia. She questioned the court, “Do I look schizophrenic, my lords?”
Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, representing the husband—a former Citibank manager now running two businesses—argued, “She should work as well. Not everything can be demanded.”
The woman claimed her husband had pressured her into quitting her job and never fulfilled her wish to start a family.
CJI Gavai reminded her that she could not claim property owned by her husband’s father. The court was reviewing the husband’s income documents, which showed a decline in earnings after he left his job.
Concluding the hearing, the Chief Justice advised her to accept either the flat or Rs 4 crore and encouraged her to restart her career. He urged her to be self-reliant, saying, “Aap itni padi likhi hain. Aapko khudko mangna nahi chahiye, balki khud kama ke khana chahiye” (You are so educated; you should not ask but earn your livelihood yourself).