Husband Changed Job to Avoid Maintenance – Is It Legal Under Indian Law?
This article is published by The Legal Warning India and written by Advocate Uday Singh.
Problem: Maintenance Order Ke Baad Job Change Karna
Bahut saare maintenance cases me ek common issue saamne aata hai — husband job change kar leta hai, salary kam dikhaata hai, ya employment details chhupa leta hai taaki maintenance payment avoid ki ja sake.
Wife aksar yeh question poochti hai:
“Kya husband job change karke maintenance dene se bach sakta hai?”
Short answer hai: Nahi. Indian courts ne repeatedly kaha hai ki maintenance obligation se bachne ke liye job change karna legal defence nahi hai.
Maintenance Law Basics – Section 125 CrPC
Maintenance ka primary provision Section 125 CrPC ke under aata hai (procedural aspects ab BNSS ke under governed hote hain).
Maintenance ka purpose hai:
- Wife ko basic survival aur dignity provide karna
- Children aur dependents ka financial protection
- Intentional neglect ko prevent karna
Kya Job Change Karna Illegal Hai?
Job change karna by itself illegal nahi hai. Lekin:
- Agar job change ka purpose maintenance avoid karna ho
- Agar husband deliberately income kam dikhaye
- Agar salary details court se hide ki jaaye
Toh court ise bad faith conduct maanti hai.
Court View: Income Potential Matters, Not Just Salary Slip
Family courts sirf current salary slip par depend nahi karti. Court yeh dekhti hai:
- Educational qualification
- Past income and employment history
- Lifestyle indicators (car, house, travel)
- Actual earning capacity (earning potential)
Agar husband capable hai earn karne ke liye, toh job change ya temporary unemployment maintenance avoid karne ka valid ground nahi hota.
Common Tactics Used to Avoid Maintenance
- Private job chhod kar cash-based work
- Salary kam dikhaana ya variable pay hide karna
- Business income ko family members ke naam par shift karna
- Frequent job switching without valid reason
Agar Wife Is Situation Ko Ignore Kar De To Kya Hoga?
Maintenance default ko ignore karne se:
- Arrears badhte jaate hain
- Husband excuses create karta rehta hai
- Recovery process delay hota hai
Delay wife ke financial rights ko aur weak kar deta hai.
Legal Remedies When Husband Changes Job to Avoid Maintenance
1. Execution Petition in Family Court
Maintenance order ke baad non-payment par execution petition file ki ja sakti hai.
2. Salary & Bank Account Attachment
Court employer se salary details mangwa sakti hai aur salary attachment order kar sakti hai.
3. Direction to Disclose Income on Affidavit
False affidavit ya income concealment serious consequences la sakta hai.
4. Arrest Warrant in Persistent Default
Repeated wilful default par court coercive steps le sakti hai.
BNSS Angle – Maintenance Enforcement Stronger
New procedural law ke baad courts non-compliance ko lightly nahi leti. Maintenance default is treated seriously, especially jab intentional avoidance prove ho jaata hai.
Link With Criminal & Matrimonial Disputes
Maintenance disputes aksar broader matrimonial litigation ka part hoti hain. Kai cases me criminal complaints bhi parallel hoti hain.
Read more on related issue here:
False 498A FIR Under New BNS Section 85 & BNSS Arrest Rules – Legal Protection Explained
Practical Tips for Wife
- Previous salary slips, offer letters preserve karein
- Social media lifestyle evidence collect karein
- Bank statements aur expenditure proof maintain karein
- Delay ki jagah timely legal action lein
Conclusion
Husband ka job change maintenance avoid karne ke liye legal nahi maana jaata. Courts earning capacity, intention aur conduct ko assess karti hain. Timely execution aur enforcement legal rights ko protect karta hai.
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This article is for general legal information and awareness purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or solicitation. Communication is purely informational, in compliance with Bar Council of India Rule 36.
