Are Courts Reluctant To Grant Maintenance To Men?

Maintenance laws in India, such as Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, are designed to be gender-neutral, allowing both men and women to claim financial support if they are unable to maintain themselves. Despite the legal provisions, societal perceptions and traditional gender roles often influence judicial attitudes and decisions, which may sometimes result in reluctance or hesitance to grant maintenance to men.

Factors Influencing Courts' Reluctance

Traditional Gender Roles:

Courts and society often view women as primary maintenance claimants based on the assumption that men are typically the breadwinners. This cultural mindset can cause subconscious bias during maintenance hearings.

Lower Number of Claims by Men:

Maintenance claims filed by men are relatively fewer, which may lead to less judicial experience and precedent in handling such cases, sometimes resulting in cautious judgments.

Proof of Financial Dependency:

Courts require men to prove inability to maintain themselves and that the respondent spouse has sufficient means. Men often find it challenging to demonstrate financial dependence convincingly.

Social Stigma and Reporting Bias:

Men may be reluctant to assert their rights, and sometimes courts perceive such claims skeptically due to prevailing stereotypes about masculinity and financial independence.

Judicial Discretion:

Each case depends on facts and evidence presented; however, some courts may be influenced by personal or societal biases affecting their willingness to grant maintenance to men.

Judicial Trends and Case Law

• Several Supreme Court and High Court rulings have upheld men’s rights to maintenance, emphasizing gender neutrality in laws.
• Courts have recognized maintenance claims by elderly fathers, disabled men, and deserted husbands, showing a shift toward equitable treatment.
• However, judgments can vary widely depending on jurisdiction, evidentiary standards, and judicial mindset.

Legal Provisions Ensuring Men’s Rights

Section 125 CrPC:

Allows any wife, husband, child or parent unable to maintain themselves to claim maintenance, without gender discrimination.

Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956:

Mandates maintenance for dependent Hindu men under certain conditions.

Tips For Men Seeking Maintenance

• Present clear and comprehensive evidence of financial dependency and respondent’s capacity.
• Engage experienced legal counsel familiar with family law.
• Use mediation or counseling services to resolve disputes amicably before court hearings.
• Be patient with the judicial process as delays and biases may occur.

Example:

A 45-year-old man, separated from his wife, claims maintenance due to unemployment and health issues. Despite providing medical records and proof of financial dependency, the lower court hesitates to grant maintenance, citing societal norms about men’s ability to earn. The man appeals to a higher court, which recognizes the legal provisions and grants him maintenance, emphasizing the law’s gender-neutral intent.