News Flash Daily
06 March 
Top court directs employer to transfer maintenance amount directly to wife’s bank account via RTGS after husband repeatedly failed to comply with financial support orders
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has directed an employer to deduct Rs 25,000 every month from a man’s salary and transfer the amount directly to the bank account of his estranged wife and their minor daughter as maintenance.
The order came after the court observed that the husband had repeatedly failed to comply with earlier directions to provide financial support, despite living separately from his wife since 2022.
A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan issued the directive to ensure that the maintenance amount reaches the wife regularly and without delay.
Court Directs Direct Transfer Through RTGS
The Supreme Court instructed that the monthly maintenance payment must be transferred through Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS). This system ensures that the money is credited directly into the wife’s bank account without any delay.
By issuing the order directly to the employer, the court aimed to prevent further non-compliance and ensure that the wife and minor child receive consistent financial support.
The bench emphasized that such measures are necessary in cases where a party continually ignores judicial orders regarding maintenance obligations.
Reason Behind Justice J.B. Pardiwala’s Intervention
The case arose from a marital dispute in which the wife alleged that the husband had failed to financially support their four-year-old daughter.
According to the case details, the woman has been raising the child alone. She has also been facing personal hardships and has been living with her uncle following the death of her father, making the financial burden even more challenging.
Given the circumstances, the court considered it necessary to intervene to safeguard the welfare of the minor child and the deserted spouse.
Earlier Magistrate Court Order Ignored
Earlier in 2024, a Magistrate Court had issued an interim maintenance order, directing the husband to provide financial support. However, the husband failed to make the required payments, resulting in pending dues of nearly Rs 1,38,000.
The Supreme Court took serious note of this non-compliance and decided to enforce the maintenance through salary deduction, ensuring that the ordered amount is paid regularly.
Legal experts say the ruling highlights the judiciary’s strict stance against ignoring maintenance orders, especially when the welfare of a minor child is involved.
