New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has ruled that a working mother cannot be forced to exhaust herself physically, emotionally, and financially while a father attempts to evade his duty towards minor children. The court stressed that a mother’s employment does not absolve the father of his legal responsibility to provide child maintenance.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma made these observations while modifying an interim maintenance order, reducing the amount payable by the husband from ₹30,000 to ₹25,000 per month for the couple’s three minor children. The court noted that the husband’s claim of earning only ₹9,000 per month was not convincing in light of the material placed on record.

The court observed that the wife had not sought maintenance for herself or claimed rental expenses, despite living with her parents along with the children. It highlighted that she was focused solely on securing financial support for the welfare, education, healthcare, and upbringing of the children.

Emphasising that child maintenance is not limited to bare survival, the court said it must ensure a standard of living consistent with the parents’ status and means. It underlined that maintaining minor children is a shared legal, moral, and social obligation of both parents.

The High Court further cautioned against equating employment with financial sufficiency, noting that the wife was bearing a dual burden of professional work and sole caregiving. Stressing that parenthood is about responsibility and not convenience, the court held that the welfare of children and the dignity of a working woman must remain paramount in maintenance cases.

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