A Mumbai court has termed the behaviour of a banker couple, both working with top financial instititutions, as ?worse than that of animals? for reportedly trying to shrug off their responsibilities towards their two minor children in the course of their marital dispute.
The husband was in the news recently for allegedly raping an air-hostess, and the case is pending before a New Delhi court. The estranged wife is currently based in Singapore. Their two children live with her.
Observing that the couple belong to the ?deluxe class?, Family Court Judge S N Rukme has ordered the man to pay Rs 1 lakh each to his children by the 10th of every month.
While the man had filed for divorce, his wife, in a separate plea, had sought maintenance for their children. The woman claimed that her husband?s annual income was over Rs 5 crore. His income tax return for 2012-2013 showed his gross income as Rs 5.26 crore.
In her plea, the woman claimed that expenses on food, education, extra-curricular activities, clothing and medicines for her children in Singapore added up to a whopping Rs 50 lakh every year. The woman, who occupies a top managerial post in a global bank, was, however, quiet on her own earnings.
The man claimed he took home not more than 16 per cent of his gross salary. He had earlier offered to pay 16,666 every month for his children. Accusing his wife and her family of extorting money from him, the man alleged that she had made false claims to harm his ?good reputation?.
Calling the arguments a ?shameless defence?, Judge Rukme said neither party had shown any sensitivity. ?It?s an example of how children are used as pawn and… are real sufferers of matrimonial dispute,? said the court in a detailed order passed last week.
?The logic behind the figure of Rs 16,666 is best known to the opponent (husband). Upbringing of child makes the real difference between human beings and animals. Animals first feed their child,? it said.
