V BALU Vs. TMT KALYANI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD both sides.

(2.) THE petitioner is the husband of the respondent. THEir marriage was solemnized on 27.06.1968. In the year 1972, a girl baby was born to them. In 1974, on 28.03.1974, a male baby was also born to them which died later. THEre was some misunderstanding between the spouses, since the respondent suspected that the petitioner was having illicit connection with one Chinnaponnu. A customary divorce was held between the spouses in a panchayat, which was also reduced to writing. Since the respondent has no means to maintain her, she had claimed maintenance from her divorced husband.

(3.) THE learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the respondent has been living in affluent circumstances and she is not at all entitled to claim maintenance from the petitioner. He refers to settlement deed dated 02.11.1979, executed in her favour and submitted that the lands are cultivable lands and she is receiving sufficient income from the said property.