Karnataka HC dissolves marriage, lays down parental duties for divorced couple
Karnataka High Court dissolves a couple's marriage, reduces alimony to ₹50 lakh, and directs both parents to protect their daughters' welfare.
The High Court of Karnataka has dissolved the marriage of a couple while directing them to prioritise the welfare of their two minor daughters, stressing that parenthood survives the end of a matrimonial relationship.
A Division Bench of Justices D.K. Singh and H. Shanthi Bhushan, disposing of a plea, directed the couple to avoid making disparaging remarks about each other in the presence of, or within the hearing of, their daughters. The court said both parents must ensure the children can maintain a loving, healthy and unhindered relationship with each of them.
The Bench observed that notwithstanding the dissolution of their matrimonial relationship, the parties continue to be the parents of the children.
Alimony reduced
The court reduced the alimony granted to the wife, a medical practitioner, from ₹2 crore to ₹50 lakh. It cited her financial status, independent source of income and personal financial assets as reasons for the reduction.
The husband was directed to pay ₹25,000 per month per child towards maintenance, education, medical expenses and other reasonable needs until the children attain the age of majority. The amount will increase by ₹5,000 per child annually. The children will remain in the custody of their mother.
Parental obligations
The Bench said the father should continue to discharge his parental obligations and, at the appropriate time — particularly at the time of their marriage — contribute reasonably towards the marriage expenses of each child, with love and affection and to the extent of his financial capacity.
The father was granted permanent visitation rights for two days a week. The mother was asked to extend reasonable cooperation so that he can exercise those rights meaningfully and without unnecessary obstruction.
The court also directed that the children should not be relocated without the father's knowledge or, where necessary, the permission of the jurisdictional court.
In addition to physical visitation, the father was granted the right to communicate with the children telephonically or through WhatsApp and video calls in emergencies for a reasonable duration, keeping in mind their age, school schedule and other activities. The Bench made it clear that both parents should ensure such communication takes place peacefully and without exposing the children to their disputes or differences.