A divorced Muslim woman can seek alimony from her husband under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure – the law related to maintenance for wives – the Supreme Court ruled today.
Section 125 broadly says a person with sufficient means cannot deny maintenance to their wife, children or parents.
Maintenance is not a matter of charity but a fundamental right of married women, the court said. “This right transcends religious boundaries, reinforcing the principle of gender equality and financial security for all married women,” it added.
“Some husbands are not conscious of the fact that the wife, who is a homemaker, is dependent on them emotionally and in other ways.
Time has come for Indian men to recognise the indispensable role and sacrifices made by housewives . There are instances where many women are married and divorced by Muslim men.
Now they will be forced to pay the alimony as per law. All the divorced women can claim for the alimony.
