The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a sharp rebuke to a Mumbai woman who demanded ₹12 crore, a BMW, and a house as alimony after just 18 months of marriage. Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai questioned the rationale behind such demands, especially from a highly educated woman with professional experience.
“You are so educated. You should earn for yourself and shouldn’t be asking for support,” CJI Gavai told the woman during the hearing. The court learned that she holds an MBA degree and has worked in the IT sector, making her qualified for employment in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. “You’re in demand. Why don’t you work also?” the CJI asked.
The woman’s hefty alimony request was contested on the grounds that the marriage was short-lived and that her estranged husband, who has filed for annulment, claims she suffers from schizophrenia. The Chief Justice also questioned the woman’s demand for a luxury car, saying, “You had a marriage for just 18 months. And now you also want a BMW?”
According to court proceedings reported by Bar and Bench, the CJI remarked, “Either you get a flat free of all encumbrances or nothing. When you are highly educated and decide not to work out of your own volition…”
The apex court’s stance echoes a similar view taken by the Delhi High Court earlier this year. In March 2025, Justice Chandra Dhari Singh ruled that Section 125 of the CrPC, which provides for maintenance, is not meant to encourage idleness, especially when the woman has the ability to earn.
