Delhi High Court Judgment Husband Cannot Avoid Maintenance by Voluntary Retirement – Delhi High Court Ruling In a crucial judgment delivered on 16 March 2026, the Delhi High Court held that a husband cannot evade his responsibility to pay maintenance to his estranged wife and children by opting for voluntary retirement or by underreporting his income. Case Overview Justice Amit Mahajan was hearing a revision petition filed by a husband who challenged a family court order directing him to pay maintenance. The husband claimed: He had taken early voluntary retirement He was dependent on a modest pension His agricultural income was negligible His wife had independent rental income However, the Court rejected these claims, finding no reliable evidence to support them. Key Observations by the Court Retirement is Not an Excuse The Court noted that: Many individuals take voluntary retirement but continue earning through other means It is unlikely that a well-qualified person would quit a ...