The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami to pay ₹1.5 lakh per month as interim maintenance to his estranged wife Hasin Jahan, along with ₹2.5 lakh towards the care and education of their minor daughter.

The verdict came after Jahan filed an appeal challenging the earlier Alipore Sessions Court order, which had granted her ₹50,000 per month and ₹80,000 for their daughter, which she deemed grossly inadequate.

Hasin Jahan’s Appeal

In her appeal, Hasin Jahan argued that the Alipore Sessions Judge had “mechanically” granted relief without considering her monthly expenses of ₹6 lakh against her modest income of ₹16,000. Her counsel also emphasized that due to limited finances, she was unable to enroll her daughter in a reputable school like those attended by children of other Indian cricketers.

Jahan urged the High Court to assess Shami’s high income, lavish lifestyle, and financial standing, especially amid rising living costs and inflation, and sought ₹10 lakh in monthly maintenance (₹7 lakh for herself, ₹3 lakh for the child).

Shami’s Counterarguments

Representing Mohammed Shami, his legal team contended that Jahan was not financially dependent on him and had acquired multiple properties through her modelling career, acting gigs, and business ventures. They claimed she was misrepresenting her financial condition and falsely portraying herself as destitute.

Court’s Ruling

Justice Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee, heading the single-judge bench, ruled that the earlier maintenance amount required revision, citing Shami’s capacity to pay and Jahan’s right to a lifestyle similar to what she enjoyed during marriage. The bench said:

“The petitioner’s wife, who has remained unmarried and is living independently with the child, is entitled to a levelled maintenance that reasonably secures her future as well as the future of the child.”

Background

Shami and Hasin Jahan married in 2014. The relationship soured, leading Jahan to file an FIR in 2018 under multiple sections of the IPC, including 498A (domestic violence), 376 (rape), and 307 (attempt to murder), accusing Shami of domestic abuse, dowry harassment, and match-fixing. She claimed that Shami neglected her and their daughter’s financial needs and had subjected her to physical and mental torture.

The case has remained in public attention due to the high-profile nature of the cricketer and the serious allegations involved.

What’s Next

With the revised interim relief now in place, the court has emphasized the importance of a dignified life for the estranged spouse and child, regardless of the strained relationship. Further proceedings regarding the final settlement are expected in the coming months.

This article is published by Crime Today News ©