Section 24 (HMA 1955) – Maintenance (Interim Alimony)

HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955

Section 24 – Maintenance (Interim Alimony)

🔹 Short Note (Hindi)

Agar husband ya wife dono me se koi bhi financially weak hai,
to court ke paas yeh power hai ki wo case ke dauraan (during proceedings)
us person ko temporary maintenance (interim alimony) aur legal expenses dene ka order kar sake.
Yeh provision ensure karta hai ki koi bhi spouse paison ki kami ke wajah se nyay se vanchit na rahe.

🔹Detailed Explanation (English + Hindi)

Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 gives the right to either spouse (husband or wife)
to claim maintenance pendente lite (temporary maintenance) and expenses of proceedings
during any matrimonial case (like divorce, judicial separation, restitution of conjugal rights, etc.).

This section is based on the principle that justice should not depend on financial strength.
If one spouse has no independent income or insufficient funds to support themselves or fight the case,
the court can direct the other spouse to pay a suitable amount monthly and cover necessary legal expenses.

🔹Main Points under Section 24

1. Applicable To Both:
   Both husband and wife can claim interim maintenance under this section.
2. Condition:
   The applicant must prove that they have no independent income sufficient for support.
3. Duration:
   The maintenance continues till the case is decided by the court.
4. Purpose:
   • To support the financially weaker spouse.
   • To ensure equal opportunity to fight the case.
5. Court’s Discretion:
   The amount and duration of maintenance depend on:
   • Income and property of both parties
   • Social status and living standard
   • Needs and responsibilities

🔹Legal Meaning (Simple Words)

Yani agar ek spouse ke paas paisa nahi hai aur wo apna guzara ya case ke kharche nahi utha sakta,
to court doosre spouse ko order kar sakti hai ki wo case khatam hone tak uske liye
monthly maintenance aur legal expenses de.

🔹Example (Easy Understanding)

Priya ne Amit ke khilaf divorce file kiya.
Priya jobless hai aur khud ke kharche nahi chala sakti.
Court Amit ko order karegi ki wo Priya ko case ke dauraan
har mahine ek fixed amount de taaki wo apne guzare aur legal kharche manage kar sake.

🔹Landmark Case Law

Rajnesh v. Neha (2021) – Supreme Court ne guidelines di ki
maintenance fix karte waqt court dono parties ke income affidavits aur standard of living ko dhyan me rakhe.
Court ne yeh bhi kaha ki maintenance ka purpose victim spouse ko financial stability dena hai.

🔹 Nyay Neeti Advice

Section 24 ek protective provision hai —
yeh ensure karta hai ki koi bhi spouse financial dependency ke wajah se nyay se vanchit na ho.
Agar aap financially weaker ho aur aapka case court me pending hai,
to interim maintenance ke liye Section 24 ke tahat application de sakte ho.

🔹Summary Table