Live-in relations spoiling marriages: HC

"Live-in relationships are spoiling marriages in our country," the Bombay high court said on Monday, while directing a couple living separately for nearly 25 years to work out an amicable solution regarding divorce and alimony to be paid to the wife.

"Live-in relationships are spoiling marriages in our country," the Bombay high court said on Monday, while directing a couple living separately for nearly 25 years to work out an amicable solution regarding divorce and alimony to be paid to the wife.

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The division bench of justice PB Majmudar and justice Anoop Mohta was hearing a revision application filed by the wife, seeking enhancement of the maintenance amount. Her husband, who works as a railway ticket checker, opposed the plea for enhancement in maintenance from Rs 7,000 to Rs 9,000 a month.

He argued that he was staying with another woman and had three children from the live-in relationship. Besides, he was also required to support his parents and, therefore, it would be difficult for him to pay any additional amount to his estranged wife.

The judges were surprised to find the man had three children from the live-in relationship.

The couple had got married in 1987 and the same year the husband moved out with his live-in partner. The man's divorce plea was rejected and the plea filed by the wife for restitution of conjugal rights was allowed. When the man did not accept the wife, the family court directed him to pay maintenance to his wife.