Pune Family Court Dismisses Woman’s Second Alimony Claim, Cites Forum Shopping and Lack of Evidence

Pune, 24th April 2025: A Pune family court has rejected a woman’s application seeking Rs 25,000 interim alimony after it was revealed she was already granted Rs 5,000 monthly maintenance by a Dharashiv court. Judge S.N. Rukme dismissed the plea, highlighting that the woman concealed the earlier order and failed to provide evidence of any significant increase in her husband’s income to justify a higher claim.

The court noted that the Supreme Court has issued clear guidelines against “forum shopping,” where multiple maintenance claims are filed in different courts for the same cause. In this case, the woman did not present proof of her husband’s alleged higher earnings or additional income, undermining the legitimacy of her demand. The judge ruled that alimony is granted based on genuine need and supporting evidence, not as a means to mislead the court or seek financial equalisation without merit.

The woman had previously secured interim maintenance under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act from a magistrate in Dharashiv, but subsequently filed for a substantially higher amount in Pune’s family court. After reviewing submissions from both parties, including the husband’s claim that the wife was professionally employed and earning Rs 40,000 per month, the court found no grounds for additional maintenance and dismissed the application with costs.