Why don't you earn? Supreme Court on Rs 12 crore, Mumbai flat, BMW alimony demand

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 22, 2025 17:52 IST

The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up a woman who demanded Rs 12 crore and a BMW car from her husband in alimony and observed that well-educated women should earn for themselves rather than depending on husband's money for their maintenance. Chief Justice of India BR Gavai was hearing an alimony case where a woman demanded a house in Mumbai and Rs 12 crore as maintenance in alimony after getting separated from her husband within 18 months of marriage.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, while hearing the alimony battle, said, “Aap itni padi likhi hai. Aapko khudko mangna nahi chahiye aur khudko kama ke khana chahiye. (You are so educated. You should earn for yourself and shouldn’t ask for it)."

During the hearing, CJI Gavai questioned the scale of her demand, stating, “Your marriage lasted only 18 months, and now you want a BMW too? One crore every month?”

Highlighting the woman’s qualifications, an MBA and experience as an IT expert, the Chief Justice remarked that she should not depend on alimony.

“If you are educated, you should not beg for yourself. You should earn and eat for yourself,” he said.

The woman countered that her husband is very wealthy and has even sought an annulment of the marriage by alleging she suffers from schizophrenia. “Do I look like a schizophrenic?” she asked the bench.

Senior advocate Madhavi Divan, appearing for the husband, argued that alimony cannot be claimed in such an extravagant manner. She pointed out that the woman was already living in a Mumbai flat with two parking spots and could generate income from it.

She said, "She has to work also. Everything cannot be demanded like this."

“The BMW she is dreaming of is 10 years old and has been discontinued,” Divan added.

CJI Gavai noted the husband's past income, Rs 2.5 crore salary and Rs 1 crore in bonuses during his employment, and directed both parties to submit complete financial documents. The bench also emphasised that the woman could not claim rights over property of her husband’s father.

The woman alleged that the husband’s actions led to her job loss and that he had filed a false FIR against her. To this, CJI Gavai assured, “You file the FIR, we will cancel that too. We will direct that no party will initiate any criminal proceedings against each other.”

As the hearing concluded, the court offered the woman two options — either accept a burden-free flat or Rs 4 crore and seek employment in IT hubs like Pune, Hyderabad, or Bengaluru.

“There is demand in IT centers,” said the CJI.

- Ends