MUMBAI: While opposing his wife's plea to enhance maintenance, saying he is not obliged to finance her further studies, a man told the Bombay high court on Thursday that those who go to the US to study, work simultaneously. A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode was hearing a petition by Sheila Birajdar challenging the Pune family court's 2011 order, which directed her husband, Aneesh, to pay her a maintenance of Rs 15,000 (approximately $300) per month. The family court had dismissed Aneesh's divorce plea and allowed Sheila's appeal for restitution of conjugal rights. She has sought Rs 2.5 lakh maintenance. Aneesh works as a principal consultant in with IBM , Boston. The couple got married in Pune in on May 6, 2007 and left for the US to pursue their careers. However, soon after, Sheila returned, saying her grandmother was unwell. Thereafter, she did not return. In 2008, Aneesh filed for a divorce. In 2010, Sheila went to Boston and joined Cambridge College. They live separately. Sheila has completed her dentistry in India and MBA in hospital administration. Sheila's advocate Ramesh Lalwani said she has enrolled for a two-year master of science in health care informatics course and needs money. He said she cannot work with her F1 visa. Also, Aneesh earns over Rs 4 lakh a month and while he "needs $3,700 (Rs 1.85 lakh) for basic expenses to survive in the US, she also needs the same". "When they got married, he had agreed to finance her education. The situation should not change as there is a rift," said Lalwani. Countering Sheila's demand, for "an astronomical" maintenance, Aneesh's advocates Ashutosh Kumbhakoni and Geeta Mulekar said she is equally educated and in a position to earn. "There is a marked distinction between wants and needs. Wants can have no limits but needs have to be considered for maintenance. Parents of students who go to the US from India pay only for their travel and other expenditures. There, as a rule, everybody works. They earn and learn. Can it be said that because she is my wife, I should finance her education? Is her education not enough to make her career?" asked Kumbhakoni on Aneesh's behalf. Kumbhakoni said Aneesh is ready to pay for her maintenance but not for education. Lalwani produced a statement listing Sheila's expenses. Kumbhakoni said with her current qualification, she can earn $3,600 and does not need maintenance. He said under the optional practical training, students can earn and learn. The verdict has been reserved. (Names changed to protect identities)