Deepa Joshi Vs Gaurav Joshi (Supreme Court of India)
The Supreme Court granted leave and decided a criminal appeal arising from the judgment dated 26.06.2025 of the High Court of Uttarakhand in Criminal Revision No. 201 of 2025. The High Court had partly allowed the wife’s revision by enhancing the maintenance awarded by the Family Court from ₹8,000 per month to ₹15,000 per month with effect from the date of the application, i.e., 18.09.2024.
The appellant-wife and the respondent-husband were married on 07.05.2023 at New Delhi according to Hindu rites. After marriage, the appellant lived in the matrimonial home with the respondent and his family. According to the appellant, she was subjected to neglect and physical and mental harassment. Within a year of the marriage, she left the matrimonial home and began residing with her parents. It was stated that she had no independent source of income.
On 18.09.2024, the appellant instituted proceedings under Section 144 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 before the competent court at Tanakpur, District Champawat, seeking maintenance of ₹50,000 per month. Upon establishment of the Family Court at Champawat, the proceedings were transferred and registered as Misc. Criminal Case No. 54 of 2024. Despite service of notice, the respondent did not appear and the matter proceeded ex parte.
