Our Bureau
Kolkata
Recently, the Calcutta High Court has ordered Indian Cricketer Mohammed Shami to increase the maintenance that he provides to his wife and daughter to Rs 4 lakh per month amidst the ongoing legal battle. It came as a shock to many supporters of the Indian pacer as earlier it was decided that he would have to pay a total sum of Rs. 1.30 lakh.
In 2023, the two parties agreed to a figure of one-and-a-half-lakh on the basis of a district sessions court order. But now the High Court has decided to increase the amount to a substantial amount and the fans of the cricketers are asking for the reasons behind it while sympathising with Shami.
The judges on the case have explained that they have increased the amount because they have found that the cricketer’s income and financial status reveal that he is in a position to pay more. They think that his wife, Hasin Jahan is entitled to a ‘levelled maintenance’ as she is living independently with their child.
The Bench stated, “The opposite party/husband’s income, financial disclosure and earnings established that he is in a position to pay a higher amount. The petitioner wife who has remained unmarried and is living independently with the child is entitled to a levelled maintenance that she enjoyed during her continuance of marriage and which reasonably secure her future as well as future of the child.”
The judge also addressed that although it might be possible that questions may arise on the amount being high but it is better than providing maintenance that might be too low to be justified. He was quoted saying, “Therefore, while it is true that the question of awarding an excessive amount of monetary relief does not arise, awarding a very low amount also cannot be accepted.”
Shami and Jahan had been in a legal battle for the past 7 years ever since Jahan filed a FIR at the Jadavpur police station against Shami and his family in March 2018. The lodged complaint alleged that she suffered “enormous physical and mental torture” and “sustained indifference and neglect” of her minor daughter. Along with that she has put up charges of domestic violence, dowry harassment and match-fixing. She has also accused Shami of not owning up to the financial responsibility for running his family expenses.
