In a modern judgement (might be first of its kind in India) a female judge ordered wife to seek employment instead of seeking maintenance/alimony from husband.

The judge observed that both the husband and the wife are well qualified. Both are capable of earning. Both were employed before marriage. Both were earning before marriage. But now both the husband and wife submit that they are not employed. Both have tried to prove that they are feeling depressed on account of litigation they are fighting against each other and hence they are not able to focus on their jobs.

The order mentions it is not in dispute that wife herself is a Post Graduate having done basic French Course and MBA. She has a potential to work and earn as she has been doing earlier. She does not have any liability of upbringing or maintaining any child. Still the wife has not specified as to what efforts she has made or is making to search for a job. She cannot continue to sit idle and expect the husband to maintain her. So she should make efforts to search for a job.

This complete judgement of 18th day of February, 2016 by Rekha Rani, District & Sessions Judge (West) at Tis Hazari Courts/Delhi is available on the court website here – http://judis.nic.in/DDC/list_new2.asp?Jud_Pdf_Name=tt2832000000416180216.pdf&JudYear=2016