The Supreme Court has in a decision held that a woman who has deserted her husband and matrimonial home and refused to return despite repeated requests is not entitled to maintenance. It was held that the law of the land does not allow maintenance in cases where the wife has deserted the company of her husband and her matrimonial home.
In order to claim maintenance, in spite of living separately from the husband, the wife has to prove that she was being ill-treated by the husband or plausibly justify her reason to be staying away from the company of her husband. If she fails to do so, she is not entitled to maintenance from her husband.
You may also refer to the case of Bheeka Ram v. Goma Devi, wherein maintenance under section 125 CrPC was refused to the wife, and it was held that when it is found that the wife declines to live with husband without any just cause and there is no evidence of ill-treatment by the husband, wife is not entitled to maintenance. You can contest the maintenance petition on the ground that the wife has left along with the children on no reasonable grounds and as such should not be entitled to claim maintenance.
You should consult an expert in this regard. You can call me at 09555 507 507 or send me a mail at info@lawkonect.com. -Regards, Advocate Pooja; www.lawkonect.com
-Regards
Advocate Pooja
www.lawkonect.com