Summary: In a recent Delhi High Court decision on December 9, 2025, Dr. Swarana Kanta Sharma changed a Family Court order, lowering the amount of money Ankur Jain must pay to Swati Jain every month from ₹25,000 to ₹17,000.
Ankur and Swati Jain got married on July 13, 2016, in Delhi. However, their relationship went bad, leading Swati to ask for financial support in March 2020. She claimed her husband and his family bothered her over dowry issues and even kicked her out of their home in October 2018.
Swati said that Ankur made ₹1,50,000 every month from a jeans business but refused to help her, asking for ₹75,000 each month for support. Ankur, however, denied these claims, saying Swati left the home on her own and that he never asked for dowry.
On August 18, 2021, the Family Court decided Swati should get temporary support of ₹14,000 each month, based on Ankur's reported income of ₹40,000-45,000 per month. Later, the court increased it to ₹25,000, which Ankur challenged, saying he earned less in the following years.
Ankur's tax returns showed he made ₹5,18,000 in 2018-2019, but much less in later years. Swati argued these lower amounts were fake. The court noticed differences in Ankur's claims, like salary slips without dates and rent payments without proof.
"The learned Family Court rightly placed reliance on the ITR for the assessment year 2018–2019 as the most reliable indicator of the petitioner’s real income."
Dr. Swarana Kanta Sharma decided that while Ankur's income meant he should pay some support, the original ₹25,000 was too much. Based on his 2018-2019 income, the court reduced the support to ₹17,000, considering inflation and living costs.
The court's decision balanced the need for fair support with Ankur's financial situation, showing a careful review of evidence and claims.
"The impugned judgment is accordingly modified. The amount of maintenance already paid by the petitioner shall remain adjusted in the future amount of maintenance payable to the respondent."
