Punjab & Haryana HC stays order requiring husband to pay maintenance to wife accused of trying to kill him

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently stayed an order directing a man to pay interim maintenance to his wife who is accused of attempting to kill him.

On April 22, Justice Kirti Singh issued notice on a plea moved by the husband against the order passed by a Ludhiana court under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

"In the meantime, operation of the impugned order dated 25.8.2025 shall remain stayed," the Court ordered.

Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Ludhiana on August 25, 2025, had directed the husband to pay a monthly amount of ₹5,000 to his wife as interim maintenance.

However, the husband recently moved the High Court against it. His counsel argued that since the inception of the marriage in 2019, there has a matrimonial discord between the parties.

The Court was informed that during the intervening night of May 13 and 14, when the husband was lying on his bed and about to fall asleep, the wife poured an inflammable liquid over him, resulting into 45 per cent burn injuries on his body. He remained under treatment for more than four months, the counsel added.

Further, the Court was told a criminal case was registered against her in this regard. She was denied anticipatory bail by the Courts, including the Supreme Court, but remained absconding for over a year, it was submitted.

"After the initiation of trial for attempt to murder, the respondent-wife, in order to delay the trial, filed a petition under Section 125 Cr.P.C. for seeking maintenance," the counsel said.

Considering the facts, the Court stayed the family court order and listed the matter for hearing on May 25.

Senior Advocate RS Bains with Advocates Loveneet Thakur and Vivek Vikas Singh represented the husband.