Landmark decision affirms Supreme Court's directions, ensuring financial relief from the date of filing.
In a pivotal ruling on December 17, 2025, the Allahabad High Court held that interim maintenance should be granted from the date of the application, not the date of the order. Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla presided over the case of Sonam Yadav v. State of U.P., emphasizing the necessity of financial support during prolonged legal proceedings.
The decision stems from an application filed by Sonam Yadav under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973. Her interim maintenance request, originally filed on August 5, 2024, was approved by the Principal Judge, Family Court, Kaushambi on April 3, 2025, but only from the date of the order. Yadav's counsel, Rajeev Sawhney, argued that maintenance should be retroactive to the application date, citing the Supreme Court's 2021 ruling in Rajnesh v. Neha, which mandates maintenance from the filing date.
Justice Shukla concurred, stating that financial distress should not burden applicants due to procedural delays. The Court referenced the Supreme Court's directives in Rajnesh v. Neha, stressing uniformity in maintenance orders to prevent destitution. The judgment highlights the law's intent to provide immediate relief to dependents, advocating for interim maintenance from the application date to mitigate financial hardships.
This decision reaffirms the Court's commitment to social justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals, aligning with the Supreme Court's broader interpretation of maintenance laws. The Allahabad High Court modified the previous order, granting interim maintenance from August 5, 2024, offering timely relief to Sonam Yadav and setting a precedent for similar cases.
Bottom Line:
Maintenance under Section 125 CrPC - Interim maintenance must be granted from the date of filing of the application to prevent financial distress to the dependent spouse during prolonged proceedings.
Statutory provision(s): Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973
Sonam Yadav v. State of U.P., (Allahabad) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2829070
