Court Condemns Willful Disobedience, Orders Immediate Custody
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has sentenced a doctor to six months in civil prison for repeatedly failing to comply with maintenance orders for his wife and two daughters, despite multiple court directives.
A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Advait Sethna found the doctor guilty of willful defiance, stating that his actions caused prolonged hardship to his family. The court strongly criticized his conduct, remarking, “The contemnor has no respect for the rule of law and no regard for the orders passed by this Court.”
Long-Standing Marital Dispute and Legal Battle
The case stems from a marital dispute dating back to 2009. The couple, married in 2002, became estranged when the husband filed for divorce. The family court rejected his petition in 2015, but the issue of maintenance remained unresolved.
In 2019, the Bombay High Court directed him to pay ₹35,000 per month to his wife and daughters. However, he persistently failed to comply, leading his wife to file a contempt petition.
Repeated Defiance and Legal Evasion
Despite multiple notices and court interventions, the doctor continuously evaded compliance. The court noted that he deliberately avoided receiving legal notices and repeatedly filed unsuccessful appeals, including in the Supreme Court. Even after the issuance of bailable warrants and other coercive measures, he continued to disregard orders.
Court’s Strong Rebuke and Sentencing
The bench noted, “For six years, the contemnor has avoided fulfilling his legal and moral obligations, disregarding the survival needs of his family.” The court emphasized that his neglect was deliberate and inexcusable.
His counsel argued that the maintenance amount was excessive, but the court dismissed the claim, affirming that the order had attained finality through various legal proceedings, including in the Supreme Court.
Finding his continued defiance unacceptable, the High Court ordered his immediate surrender at the High Court Police Station, where he was taken into custody.
