JUDGEMENT ATTACHED BELOW..
A former Defence Ministry official has been ordered by the Delhi High Court to give two thirds of his lump sum retirement benefits totalling Rs13 lakh and monthly pension of Rs10,000 to his estranged wife and their children for their maintenance.
"Whatever amount former Defence Ministry official Kishan Lal Bhalla receives from the department as retirement benefits or pension, the same shall be divided into three parts. He will keep one part and two parts shall be disbursed to wife and daughter," said Justice Suresh Kait.
The court order's came on a plea by Bhalla seeking reduction of Rs12,000 monthly alimony, fixed by a lower court, before his retirement as maintenance for his wife. Bhalla had sought reduction of alimony on the ground that while in service he used to draw a monthly salary of Rs36,000 and was able to give Rs12,000 to them for their maintenance.
But after his retirement, he was not able to give as much money to them, more so when his retirement benefits was yet to be released, he contended. But the court found out form the office of Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension) that he has already received Rs12,63,500 as retirement benefits and was additionally entitled to a monthly pension of Rs10,080.
The court asked Bhalla to give two thirds of his retirement benefits to his wife, saying while Bhalla has only to look after himself, his wife has also to maintain herself and shoulder the responsibility of her unmarried daughter and unemployed son.
https://www.asianage.com/india/ex-defence-min-official-asked-give-23rd-pension-wife-255
