Madras High Court: Husband Ordered to Pay Support and Return Belongings in Domestic Violence Case

Here's a breakdown of the recent court decision where the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court dealt with a domestic violence case involving Anthony Stalin and A. Arockia Sahayaruby. Justice L. Victoria Gowri was in charge of the case.

Background of the Case

Anthony Stalin and A. Arockia Sahayaruby were married in 2010. The wife said that her husband and his family treated her badly, asking for dowry and being cruel to her. She claimed her husband was often drunk and did not provide financial support, even though he had a stable job and income from farming.

Court's Decision on Domestic Violence

The court agreed with the wife's claims, noting that the husband and his family did not provide evidence to challenge the accusations. The court found that keeping her belongings, like gold and household items, was a form of financial abuse.

"The court ordered the return of all her personal belongings within a certain time."

Maintenance and Compensation

The court told Anthony Stalin to pay monthly support of ₹10,000 (₹6,000 for the wife and ₹4,000 for the child) starting from July 2015, and to pay any overdue amounts within eight weeks. Additionally, the court awarded ₹5,00,000 as compensation for domestic violence and ₹50,000 for false statements given by the husband’s side.

Respondent's Argument and Court's Rejection

The husband disagreed with the decision, arguing that he couldn't afford the payments due to mental health issues and lack of stable work. However, the court dismissed these claims, noting the absence of evidence like medical records or proof of income.

"The court found no reliable proof of income from the husband."

Final Orders

Justice Gowri confirmed the original decision, requiring the husband to make the support payments and return the wife's belongings. The court also instructed local authorities to help enforce the order.

Summary of the Verdict

The court ruled in favor of the wife, ordering the husband to pay monthly support for her and their child, return her belongings, and pay compensation for the abuse and false statements. Local authorities were directed to assist in ensuring compliance with the court's orders.

"The Protection Officer and local police are to assist in implementing the court's orders."