(1) If any person having sufficient means neglects or refuses to maintain–

(a) his wife, unable to maintain herself, or
(b) his legitimate or illegitimate minor child, whether married or not, unable to maintain itself, or
(c) his legitimate or illegitimate child (not being a married daughter) who has attained majority, where such child is, by reason of any physical or mental abnormality or injury unable to maintain itself, or
(d) his father or mother, unable to maintain himself or herself,

a Magistrate of the first class may, upon proof of such neglect or refusal, order such person to make a monthly allowance for the maintenance of his wife or such child, father or mother, at such monthly rate as such Magistrate thinks fit and to pay the same to such person as the Magistrate may from time to time direct.

Provided that the Magistrate may order the father of a minor female child referred to in clause (b) to make such allowance, until she attains her majority, if the Magistrate is satisfied that the husband of such minor female child, if married, is not possessed of sufficient means.

Provided further that the Magistrate may, during the pendency of the proceeding regarding monthly allowance for the maintenance under this sub-section, order such person to make a monthly allowance for the interim maintenance of his wife or such child, father or mother, and the expenses of such proceeding which the Magistrate considers reasonable, and to pay the same to such person as the Magistrate may from time to time direct.

Provided also that an application for the monthly allowance for the interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding under the second proviso shall, as far as possible, be disposed of within sixty days from the date of the service of notice of the application to such person.

Explanation.–For the purposes of this Chapter,
(a) “minor” means a person who, under the provisions of the Indian Majority Act, 1875 (9 of 1875) is deemed not to have attained his majority;
(b) “wife” includes a woman who has been divorced by, or has obtained a divorce from, her husband and has not remarried.

(2) Any such allowance for the maintenance or interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding shall be payable from the date of the order, or, if so ordered, from the date of the application for maintenance or interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding, as the case may be.

(3) If any person so ordered fails without sufficient cause to comply with the order, any such Magistrate may, for every breach of the order, issue a warrant for levying the amount due in the manner provided for levying fines, and may sentence such person, for the whole or any part of each months allowance for the maintenance or the interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding, as the case may be, remaining unpaid after the execution of the warrant, to imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or until payment if sooner made.

Provided that no warrant shall be issued for the recovery of any amount due under this section unless application be made to the Court to levy such amount within a period of one year from the date on which it became due:
Provided further that if such person offers to maintain his wife on condition of her living with him, and she refuses to live with him, such Magistrate may consider any grounds of refusal stated by her, and may make an order under this section notwithstanding such offer, if he is satisfied that there is just ground for so doing.

Explanation.–If a husband has contracted marriage with another woman or keeps a mistress, it shall be considered to be just ground for his wifes refusal to live with him.

(4) No wife shall be entitled to receive an allowance for the maintenance or the interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding, as the case may be, from her husband under this section if she is living in adultery, or if, without any sufficient reason, she refuses to live with her husband, or if they are living separately by mutual consent.

(5) On proof that any wife in whose favour an order has been made under this section in living in adultery, or that without sufficient reason she refuses to live with her husband, or that they are living separately by mutual consent, the Magistrate shall cancel the order.

Bullet Points on Section 125 CrPC:

(1) Maintenance Order:

• A person neglecting or refusing to maintain certain dependent individuals can face action.
• Dependent individuals include:
  • Unmaintainable wife.
  • Minor child (legitimate/illegitimate), married or not.
  • Adult child (legitimate/illegitimate) with physical or mental disability.
  • Unmaintainable father or mother.
• A first-class Magistrate can order the person to pay a monthly allowance based on proof of neglect or refusal.
• The allowance is determined by the Magistrate and paid to the dependent person.

Provisions for Specific Cases:

• If the husband of a minor female child (clause b) lacks means, he can be ordered to provide allowance until she turns an adult.
• During proceedings, interim maintenance can be ordered along with reasonable proceeding expenses.
• The application for interim maintenance should ideally be resolved within sixty days.

Definitions and Explanations:

• “Minor” refers to a person not considered an adult under the Indian Majority Act, 1875.
• “Wife” includes a divorced woman who hasn’t remarried.
• Grounds for refusal to live with a husband are considered for order issuance.
• Justification for refusal can include the husband’s remarriage or keeping a mistress.

(2) Payment of Allowance:

• The maintenance or interim maintenance allowance starts from the order date or the application date, as directed.

(3) Non-Compliance and Consequences:

• If the ordered person fails to comply, a Magistrate can issue a warrant for amount recovery.
• Imprisonment up to one month is possible for unpaid allowances, or until payment if sooner made.
• Recovery warrant must be requested within a year from the due date.

(4) Eligibility Criteria for Maintenance:

• An adulterous wife or one unreasonably refusing to live with her husband isn’t entitled to maintenance.
• Separation by mutual consent also affects entitlement.

(5) Cancellation of Order:

• If a wife is proven to be living in adultery or unreasonably refusing to live with her husband, the Magistrate can cancel the maintenance order.

Landmark Judgements:

Rajnesh vs Neha: Hon’ble Supreme Court of India issued directions for payment of interim maintenance and the criteria to be followed in determining the quantum of maintenance in matrimonial cases. The court also prescribed the format of the Affidavit of Disclosure of Assets and Liabilities to be filed by both husband and wife.