Section 25 (HMA 1955)– Permanent Alimony and Maintenance

HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955

Section 25 – Permanent Alimony and Maintenance

🔹 Short Note (Hindi)

Jab court kisi marriage-related case ka final decision de deta hai —
chahe wo divorce ho, judicial separation ho ya annulment,
to court ek baar me permanent maintenance (alimony) ka order de sakti hai.
Yeh payment husband ya wife dono me se kisi ek ko di ja sakti hai,
taaki unka future financial support ensure ho sake.

🔹Detailed Explanation (English + Hindi)

Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 empowers the court to grant permanent alimony and maintenance
to either the husband or the wife, once the marriage case (like divorce or separation) is finally decided.

This section is meant to provide long-term financial stability to the spouse
who is unable to maintain themselves even after the end of marital proceedings.

The court may order:

• A lump-sum amount, or
• Monthly/periodic payments,
  depending on the financial situation of both spouses,
  their conduct, and other relevant circumstances.

🔹Main Points under Section 25

1. Applicable To Both:
   Either husband or wife can apply for permanent alimony after the final judgment.
2. Purpose:
   To provide financial support for the rest of life or for a fixed period after divorce/separation.
3. Court’s Power:
   Court can modify, increase, reduce, or cancel the maintenance amount
   if there’s a change in circumstances (like remarriage or improved income).
4. Mode of Payment:
   • Lump-sum one-time payment, or
   • Monthly/periodic installments.
5. Conditions for Cancellation:
   • If the receiving spouse remarries, or
   • Is found living in adultery,
     the court may cancel the maintenance order.

🔹Legal Meaning (Simple Words)

Yani jab case ka final faisla ho jata hai,
to court financially weaker spouse ko lifetime ya limited period ke liye
ek fixed amount maintenance ke roop me de sakti hai —
taaki wo apna guzara aur respect ke saath jeevan chala sake.

🔹Example (Easy Understanding)

Aarti aur Rohit ka divorce ho gaya.
Court ne dekha ki Aarti ke paas koi income nahi hai aur wo depend hai.
Court ne order diya ki Rohit usse har mahine ₹15,000 dega as permanent maintenance,
ya ek baar me ₹10 lakh dekar lump-sum alimony clear kar sakta hai.

🔹Landmark Case Law

Kalyan Dey Chowdhury v. Rita Dey Chowdhury (2017) –
Supreme Court ne kaha ki maintenance ka amount husband ke net salary ka around 25% tak ho sakta hai,
par har case ki condition alag hoti hai, isliye court apne discretion se decide karegi.

🔹Nyay Neeti Advice

Section 25 ensure karta hai ki divorce ke baad bhi financial imbalance na rahe.
Agar aap financially dependent ho aur aapka case decide ho gaya hai,
to aap court me permanent maintenance (Section 25) ke liye application de sakte ho.
Court aapke need aur doosre spouse ke financial status ke basis par amount decide karegi.

🔹 Summary Table