Supreme Court doubles alimony of ex-airhostess

A former airhostess, now living in Mumbai with her sister, got a major relief from the Supreme Court.

The apex court on Thursday doubled Vinny Parmar’s monthly maintenance from Rs20,000 to Rs40,000 justifying her standard of living. Her estranged husband Parmvir Parmar is a senior commander in Air India.

Considering the claim for permanent alimony and maintenance under section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, “the respondent’s own income and other property, and the income and property of the claimant spouse are relevant material… the court has to consider all the material and determine the amount, which has to be just for standard of living,” the Supreme Court said.

Vinny claimed Parmvir forced her to resign from Cathay Pacific. She is currently unemployed and living with her sister in Mumbai.
Initially, the couple levelled various allegations against each other, including cruelty charge, in the Bombay high court. Later, they reached an agreement.

But when the Bombay high court fixed Rs20 lakh as permanent settlement amount or Rs 20,000 monthly alimony, she challenged the order in the Supreme Court.

Allowing her appeal, the Supreme Court said no fixed formula can be laid for fixing the amount of maintenance.

“The court has to consider the status of the parties, their respective needs, the capacity of the husband to pay, having regard to reasonable expenses for his own maintenance and others whom he is obliged to maintain,” it added.

The Supreme Court then fixed the monthly maintenance at Rs40,000 instead of Rs20,000. As an alternative measure, Supreme Courtsaid the husband could pay Rs40 lakh as a lump sum amount within six months from August 1, 2011, but it “will forfeit all her claims on his property”.

https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_supreme-court-doubles-alimony-of-ex-airhostess_1568136