#standard of living

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that maintenance under Section 125 CrPC must align with the husband’s actual standard of living, not merely his declared income. This shifts the legal test beyond mere earnings to lifestyle indicators, significantly strengthening claims by wives and children when husbands conceal assets or underreport means.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that maintenance under Section 125 CrPC must align with the father’s financial capacity and standard of living, not just basic needs. Enhancing the award to ₹50,000 per child, the Court emphasized that educational and welfare costs must be factored in, especially where the father earns substantial rental and business income.