V.Sandhya @ Archana v. S.Velu @ Sivakumar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 21.08.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B. BALAJI V.Sandhya @ Archana

...Petitioner

Vs.

S.Velu @ Sivakumar

...Respondent

Prayer: Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of Constitution of India, to allow this civil revision petition, to enhance the maintenance amount and to set aside the order of the learned Sub Court, Poonamallee passed in I.A.No.694 of 2019 in H.M.O.P.No.92 of 2019 dated 22.08.2023.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.R.Appaswamee For Respondent : Mrs.Inthu Karunakaran Page No.1 of 4

ORDER

This civil revision petition has been filed seeking enhancement of the maintenance amount and to set aside the order of the learned Sub Court, Poonamallee, passed in I.A.No.694 of 2019 in H.M.O.P.No.92 of 2019, dated 22.08.2023.

2. Heard Mr.V.R.Appaswamee and Mrs.Inthu Karunakaran, learned counsel appearing for the respective parties.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner/wife, referring to the averments in the counter affidavit filed by the respondent, pointed out that the respondent himself had admitted to receiving a monthly income of Rs.30,000/- from HSBC Bank and, subsequently, in the affidavit of assets and liabilities, had categorically admitted that his income was between Rs.40,000/- and Rs.50,000/- per month. He contends that the Sub Court, Poonamallee, ignored these admissions and arbitrarily fixed the interim maintenance at Rs.6,000/- per month, which is wholly insufficient to meet the reasonable requirements of the petitioner/wife. Page No.2 of 4

4. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent/husband submitted that after the COVID-19 period, the respondent had lost his employment in the bank and is now engaged in freelance work. The statement in the affidavit of assets and liabilities that his income is around Rs.40,000/- to Rs.50,000/- per month was only in the context of projects that may come his way, and not as a regular or stable income.

5. Considering the rival submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record, this Court is of the considered view that a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) per month towards interim maintenance would be just and proper, enabling the petitioner/wife to maintain herself in a manner commensurate with the standard of living of the respondent/husband.

6. In the light of the above, this Civil Revision Petition is partly allowed. The order of interim maintenance is enhanced from Rs.6,000/- to Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) per month. The arrears of maintenance shall be paid within a period of eight weeks. Page No.3 of 4

P.B.BALAJI , J.

7. The Sub Court, Poonamallee, is directed to expedite the hearing of both H.M.O.Ps. filed by the petitioner and the respondent, where a joint trial has already commenced, and dispose of the same on or before 30.01.2026.

21.08.2025 cda Index : Yes / No Speaking order : Yes / No To The Sub Court, Poonamallee.

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