Wife entitled to maintenance even if she refuses to comply with cohabitation decree The Supreme Court has ruled that a wife can claim maintenance even if she refuses to live with her husband, as long as she has a valid reason. In this case, a woman from Jharkhand said she wasn’t even allowed to use the washroom in her marital home. The family court sided with her and ordered the husband to pay ₹10,000 per month. When he challenged this, arguing that a court order for her to return should mean something, the Supreme Court disagreed, stating that such a decree doesn’t cancel her right to maintenance. While the ruling ensures women aren’t forced into unfair living conditions, it also opens the door for legal complications in future disputes. In the end, the wife gets financial support, the husband pays the price, and the courts are left with yet another complex marital case to navigate. #supremecourt #maintenancerights #matrimoniallaw #legalprecedent #familylaw #courtruling