Vishalakshi Keshari, School of Law, UPES
ABSTRACT
In today’s society, it has been well accepted by the people that if a married couple is unable to live together along with each other happily in their matrimonial home, it is better for them to separate and live their lives individually, as a unhealthy family will lead to the upbringing of unhealthy children who will not be good for the society. But the major concern after the separation of husband and wife is the issue of maintenance. If either of the parties is unable to maintain itself on its own, it is the duty of the other party to provide maintenance. The paper talks about the solutions to the issue of maintenance. The provisions of maintenance in our nation are dealt on two facets, first under the personal laws of the respective faiths and other under the criminal procedure code, which is constant for everyone, regardless of their faith, belief, or religion. How and when can people claim maintenance from their spouse, or who else has the right to maintenance other than the wife. The paper elaborates both the criminal and the civil procedures under the Hindu, Muslim, Parsi and Christian personal laws, as to how a person falling within the particular categories can claim maintenance.
Keywords: maintenance, wife, father, mother, parents, legitimate, illegitimate, alimony, marriage.
