Partly allowed

Kashinath Vithhal Varekar v. Dipti Kashinath Varekar and Anr.

Bombay HC9 Jan 2020WP/2797/2014

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Two writ petitions challenging a maintenance order were disposed of. The High Court modified the order to extend maintenance until the wife's death despite divorce. Arrears were adjusted against rent collected by the wife. Rent recovery was remitted to be determined during execution proceedings.

What did the court decide?

Modified the order for wife's lifetime maintenance; adjusted rent collected from March 25, 2014, towards arrears; remitted rent recovery issue to execution proceedings.

Kashinath Vithhal Varekar Vs Dipti Kashinath Varekar… — Maintenance and Alimony | Bombay HC (2020)

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ISM

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

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WRIT PETITION NO. 2797 OF 2014

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Kashinath Vitthal Varekar .....Petitioner

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V/s.

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Dipti Kashinath Varekar and another .....Respondents

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WITH WRIT PETITION NO. 2454 OF 2015

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Dipti Kashinath Varekar ….Petitioner

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V/s.

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Kashinath Vitthal Varekar ….Respondent

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Mr. Sushil A. Inamdar for the Petitioner in WP 2797/2014 and respondent No. 1 in WP 2454/2015

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Mr. Vikas B. Shivarkar for the petitioner in WP 2454/2015 and for respondent no. 1 in WP 2797/2014

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Mr. S. S. Hulke APP for the State

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CORAM : NITIN W. SAMBRE, J. DATE : JANUARY 9, 2020.

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P.C.

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Heard respective counsel.

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2] Being aggrieved by clause 3 of the impugned order dated

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March 25, 2014 passed by District Judge-2, Pune, both husband and wife have questioned the said order which reads thus:

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“3. The appellant who is original respondent Kashinath Vitthal Varekar is hereby ordered to pay monthly maintenance of Rs. 4,000/- to his wife Dipti Kashinath Varekar from the date of application till her death or divorce and allow her to stay in one room only which is fully constructed house and whatever amount is deposited in the court by the appellant that be adjusted towards arrears of maintenance”.

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3] By the impugned order, learned District Judge has ordered that respondent-wife will be entitled for monthly maintenance of Rs. 4000/- from the date of application till her death or divorce. She is also permitted to stay in one room of the house which is owned by petitioner-husband.

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4] Parties are in agreement that a Decree of Divorce is already passed.

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5] In the aforesaid background, the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner-husband are, by the order of the Trial Court passed on 15/07/2013, wife was permitted to collect rent for period 15/07/2013 to 25/03/2014. As such, order of payment of maintenance ought not to have been made applicable from the date of application. He would further claim that since the amount of rent is already collected for the aforesaid period i.e. from 15/07/2013 to 25/03/2014 by the respondent-wife, the Court may pass appropriate order directing modifcation.

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6] While countering aforesaid submission, counsel for the respondent-wife would urge that issue of divorce is not in dispute. The parties are admittedly governed by provisions of Hindu Law, order of maintenance cannot be restricted only to the extent of date of divorce. He would further claim that maintenance since is not paid till date, respondent-wife be permitted to collect the rent, as was ordered by the Trial Court.

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7] Considered rival submissions.

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8] The factum of divorce between the parties is not in dispute and that being so, it cannot be held that respondent-wife is entitled for maintenance at the rate of Rs. 4000/- only till the date of divorce. Such observations are without any legal basis and as such, it has to be modifed to mean that respondent-wife will be entitled for maintenance at the rate of Rs. 4000/- per month till her death and it is accordingly modifed.

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9] As far as the claim for adjustment of the amount of rent received is concerned, petitioner-husband is right in claiming such adjustment particularly when respondent-wife has already collected rent for a period from 15/07/2013 to 25/03/2014. As such, while paying arrears of maintenance to respondent-wife, husband has every right to claim the adjustment of the amount of rent received by respondent-wife. As such, order of payment of maintenance of Rs. 4000/- is made operational from the date of the order i.e. 25/03/2014.

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10] As far as the claim of respondent-wife for recovery/collection of

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rent is concerned, the said issue can be gone into by the Court below at the time of execution of the order of maintenance, in case if, not honoured by the petitioner-husband.

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11] With above observations, both petitions stand disposed of.

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[NITIN W. SAMBRE, J.]

Kashinath Vithhal Varekar v. Dipti Kashinath Varekar and Anr.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Kashinath Vithhal Varekar v. Dipti Kashinath Varekar and Anr.

Case brief

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What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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