C.R. No.6580 of 2007 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. C.R. No.6580 of 2007 Date of Decision: 30.1.2008 Vivek Kumar Gupta .....Petitioner Vs. Sheikha ...Respondent .... CORAM : HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE RAJIVE BHALLA **** Present : Mr.Arun Singal, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Ajay Saini, Advocate for the respondent. ... RAJIVE BHALLA, J (Oral) The petitioner impugns an order dated 27.11.2007 passed by the Additional District Judge, Panipat, assessing interim maintenance @ Rs.3500/- p.m. Counsel for the petitioner contends that even if the petitioner's annual income is considered as Rs.84,000/-, as recorded by the learned trial Court, the amount of Rs.3500/- p.m. assessed as interim maintenance is excessive. The respondent has been living apart from the petitioner and, therefore, does not deserve the grant of maintenance. It is further submitted that before passing the impugned order, the petitioner's services have been terminated on 10.4.2007 and he, therefore, does not have any income. Counsel for the respondent, on the other hand, asserts that the amount of Rs.3500/- is equal to the minimum wages, payable to an unskilled labourer in the State of Haryana and even otherwise, an amount of Rs.3500/- cannot be said to be excessive. The petitioner's assertion that his C.R. No.6580 of 2007 2 services have been terminated is incorrect and, therefore, the present revision petition be dismissed. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the impugned order. I find no error of jurisdiction or of law, as would warrant interference in the impugned order. The interim maintenance assessed at Rs.3500/- p.m. is just and fair. The petitioner's contention that his services have been terminated, would not exonerate him of his liability, to maintain his wife. The other assertion that his annual income would not warrant the grant of maintenance @ Rs.3500/- p.m., cannot be accepted. An abandoned wife is not expected to live in penury and must be sufficiently compensated by grant of interim maintenance. No merit. Dismissed. 30.1.2008 ( RAJIVE BHALLA ) GS JUDGE