Mrs. Jagruti Bhatia v. Samir Bhatia
rajshree
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION INTERIM APPLICATION NO.13191 OF 2025 IN FAMILY COURT APPEAL NO.246 OF 2014 Jagruti Bhatia ....Applicant V/S Samir Bhatia ....Respondent Ms.S.S. Gokhale for the Applicant.
Ms.Vidisha Rohira i/b VJJURIS Advocates for the Respondent. CORAM :
BHARATI DANGRE & MANJUSHA DESHPANDE, JJ DATE : 17th MARCH 2026 (IN CHAMBER) P.C. :
The Interim Application filed by the mother of Riya, the younger daughter born to the couple, seek a monthly payment of Rs.1 Lakh for her maintenance. The Application also seek a direction of payment of college fees and all education expenses by the Respondent/Father alongwith a claim for reimbursement of the amount incurred by the Applicant/Mother for buying a Laptop and the Mobile Phone.
by RAJSHREE KISHOR MORE Date: 2026.03.24 12:35:34 +0530 RAJSHREE KISHOR MORE 1/4
In the wake of the specific pleadings in the Application, we deemed it appropriate to interact with Riya herself and we spoke to her in the Chamber.
Riya do not deny that she was staying with her father, but inform that since last four years she is residing with her mother. She do not deny that while she is admitted in Atlas University, the fees for the first year is deposited by her father. Riya categorically state before us that as far as her other needs are concerned, upon her demand they are satisfied by the father, but she feel it little awkward to ask for money every time from him, as she is required to incur expenses for her travel, clothes, stationary and other miscellaneous expenses. The Respondent-Father is also present before us, who deny that he has ever denied the money to Riya to meet her needs and expenses which may include her clothing, travel etc. We find it quite natural for Riya to hesitate every time when she need money for petty things and during the course of our interaction with Riya and her father a solution has emerged before us.
It is decided that Riya will open a Savings Bank account in her own name exclusively, she having attained the age of majority and Respondent/father has agreed to deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- per month for a period of two years for the time being and this amount shall cater to her daily needs. Though Respondent undertake that her other expenses like any amount incurred towards her education, medical treatment 2/4
or bearing of the responsibility for any educational tour etc. shall be catered to by the father and upon Riya contacting him, he shall arrange for the expenses.
However, for the time being, an amount of Rs.15,000/- being deposited in the account of Riya, she will be entitled to use it for herself and for petty expenses, which she incur on day to day basis.
It is also undertaken by the Respondent that this amount shall be deposited from the month of April, 2026 and Riya shall open account in the bank close to her house and both her parents shall be entitled for having access to her statement of account of the Bank.
The amount shall be deposited before 7th day of every month and its utilization shall be to the complete discretion of Riya, without any intervention of either of the parents as it is also undertaken by the father that upon he being contacted by Riya for any other expenses, he will be more than happy to bear the same.
Needless to state that depending upon the future requirements of Riya, there will be proportionate increase in the said amount and the amount shall be at variance if Riya starts earning her own salary.
Though the Applicant also pray for refund of the amount which include the amount incurred towards laptop which was purchased by the Applicant-Wife on 10/07/2025 by expending sum of Rs.50,700/-, we decline to entertain the said prayer as 3/4
even according to us it is also the mother's responsibility to cater for her daughter.
We make it clear that the aforesaid order will have no impact on the inter se claim made by the wife against husband. With the aforesaid directions, Interim Application stand disposed of.
[MANJUSHA DESHPANDE, J.] [BHARATI DANGRE, J.] 4/4