# Smt. Pooja Saxena & Anr. Revisionists v. State of U.P. & Anr - **Citation:** (2022) 5 ILRA 1097 - **Court:** High Court of Judicature at Allahabad - **Decided:** 2022-05-05 - **Case number:** Criminal Revision No. 2162 of 2016 - **Bench:** Shekhar Kumar Yadav - **Source:** https://unisonlegal.in/judgment/allahabad-high-court/smt-pooja-saxena-anr-revisionists-v-state-of-u-p-anr-48424 - **Pages:** 6 ## Headnote Law -Code of Criminal Procedure,1973-Section 397/401 & 125Quantum of maintenance- Applicant challenged the maintenance amount awarded by the Family Court-Wife was required to sacrifice her employment opportunity for nurturing family and she has a son who is heart patient-Merely because the wife is capable of earning is not sufficient ground to reduce the maintenance-Sustenance does not mean, and cannot be allowed to mean mere survival-Hence, the maintenance awarded by the family Court is enhanced to Rs. 60,000/- from Rs. 35000/-25% of the husband's net salary would be just and proper to be awarded as maintenance to the wife and son. B. While dealing with the application of a destitute wife or hapless children or parents under this provision, the Court is dealing with the marginalized Sections of the society. The purpose is to achieve "social justice" which is the constitutional vision, enshrined in the Preamble of the 1098 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES Constitution of India. The maintenance amount awarded must be reasonable and realistic, and avoid either of the two extremes i.e. maintenance awarded to the wife should neither be so extravagant which becomes oppressive and unbearable for the Respondent, nor should it be so meagre that it drives the wife to penury. The sufficiency of quantum has to be adjudged so that the wife is able to maintain herself with reasonable comfort. The revision is allowed. (E-6) List of Cases cited: ## Text 5 All. Smt. Pooja Saxena & Anr. Vs. State of U.P. & Anr. 1097 Establishment for the investigation of offences notified under the section 3. (2) ......." 41. Section 3 confers powers upon the Vigilance Establishment to investigate the offences notified in the Gazettee by the State Government. Section 3 reads thus: "3. Offences to be investigated by the Vigilance Establishment.- The State Government may by notification in the Gazette, specify the offence or classes of offences which are to by investigated by the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment." 42. In exercise of powers conferred under section 3 of Vigilance Act 1965, the Governor of U.P. notified on 12 February 1965 the offences and class of offences which may be investigated by the U.P. Vigilance Establishment, which, inter alia, includes offences punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. 43. Having due regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, the Staterespondents are justified in directing vigilance enquiry and granting sanction for prosecution. The finding of culpability of the petitioner is writ large from the departmental enquiry. The mandate of the Government Orders have necessarily been complied. Any defect in the fact finding enquiry, rank of the officer or complaint being fictitious and not supported by an affidavit would have no bearing on the vigilance enquiry or the sanction for prosecution. 44. The writ petition being devoid of merit, accordingly, is dismissed. 45. No costs. ---------- (2022)05ILR A1097 REVISIONAL JURISDICTION CRIMINAL SIDE DATED: ALLAHABAD 05.05.2022 BEFORE THE HON'BLE SHEKHAR KUMAR YADAV, J. Criminal Revision No. 2162 of 2016 Smt. Pooja Saxena & Anr. ...Revisionists Versus State of U.P. & Anr. ...Opposite Parties Counsel for the Revisionists: Sri Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Sri Prashant Kumar Singh, Smt. Pooja Saxena (In Person), Rajni Ojha, Sri Ravindra Nath Chaubey Counsel for the Opposite Parties: G.A., Sri Piyush Dubey A. Criminal Law -Code of Criminal Procedure,1973-Section 397/401 & 125Quantum of maintenance- Applicant challenged the maintenance amount awarded by the Family Court-Wife was required to sacrifice her employment opportunity for nurturing family and she has a son who is heart patient-Merely because the wife is capable of earning is not sufficient ground to reduce the maintenance-Sustenance does not mean, and cannot be allowed to mean mere survival-Hence, the maintenance awarded by the family Court is enhanced to Rs. 60,000/- from Rs. 35000/-25% of the husband's net salary would be just and proper to be awarded as maintenance to the wife and son. B. While dealing with the application of a destitute wife or hapless children or parents under this provision, the Court is dealing with the marginalized Sections of the society. The purpose is to achieve "social justice" which is the constitutional vision, enshrined in the Preamble of the 1098 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES Constitution of India. The maintenance amount awarded must be reasonable and realistic, and avoid either of the two extremes i.e. maintenance awarded to the wife should neither be so extravagant which becomes oppressive and unbearable for the Respondent, nor should it be so meagre that it drives the wife to penury. The sufficiency of quantum has to be adjudged so that the wife is able to maintain herself with reasonable comfort. The revision is allowed. (E-6) List of Cases cited: 1. Kulbhushan Vs Rajkumari & ors. (1970) 3 SCC 129 2. Rajnesh Vs Neha & ors.(2020) MANU/SC/0833/2020 3. Shailja & anr. Vs Khobbanna CRLA No. 125 of 20174. Sunita Kachwaha & ors. Vs Anil Kachwaha (2014) MANU/SC/0964/2014 : (2014)16 SCC 715 5. Manish Jain Vs Akanksha Jain, Civil Appeal No. 4615 of 2017 (Delivered by Hon'ble Shekhar Kumar Yadav, J.) 1. ;g nkf.Md fuxjkuh] fuxjkuhdrkZx.k dh vksj ls okn la[;k 598 o"kZ 2015] 1⁄4Jherh iwtk lDlsuk izfr foosd ekFkqj1⁄2] vUrxZr /kkjk 125 na0 iz0 la0] Fkkuk gjhioZr] ftyk vkxjk esa fo}ku vij ftyk ,oa l= U;k;k/kh'k@vij iz/kku ifjokj U;k;k/kh'k] QkLV Vsad dksVZ la[;k 1] vkxjk }kjk ikfjr fu.kZ; ,oa vkns'k fnukad 16&05&2016 ds fo:} ;ksftr dh x;h gS ftlds }kjk fo}ku v/khuLFk U;k;ky; us fuxjkuhdrkZ dk vkosnu i= vUrxZr /kkjk 125 na0 iz0 la0 ,d i{kh; :i ls Lohdkj djrs gq, foi{kh foosd ekFkqj dks vknsf'kr fd;k fd og izkFkZuk i= izLrqfrdj.k dh frfFk ls viuh iRuh Jherh iwtk lDlsuk dks :i;k 20]000@& izfrekg rFkk ;kfpdk dh frfFk ls gh vius iq= dks 15]000@&izfrekg Hkj.k iks"k.k gsrq iznku djsa rFkk ;g Hkh vknsf'kr fd;k fd vkns'k dh frfFk rd ns; leLr /kujkf'k ,d ekg ds vUnj fuxjkuhdrkZ dks iznku djsaA os ;g /kujkf'k fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk crk;s x;s cSad [kkrs eas Hkh tek dj ldrs gSaA Jherh iwtk o muds iq= f'k[kj ds fy, izfrekg dh ns; /kujkf'k ekg ds 15 rkjh[k rd iznku dh tk,A fuxjkuhdrkZ ;fn fdlh vU; okn esa Hkj.k iks"k.k dh jkf'k izkIr dj jgh gksxha rks og /kujkf'k lek;ksftr gksxhA bl izdkj fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk ;g ;kpuk dh x;h gS fd fo}ku v/khuLFk U;k;ky; }kjk fu/kkZfjr dh x;h /kujkf'k dks c<+k;k tk,A 2. fnukad 18&4&2022 dks fuxjkuhdrkZ 1⁄4Lo;a1⁄2 ,oa foi{kh la[;k 2 ds fo}ku vf/koDrk Jh ih;w"k nqcs dh cgl lquus ds mijkUr ekeyk fu.kZ; gsrq lqjf{kr dj fy;k x;k FkkA fu.kZ; fy[kkrs le; U;k;ky; us ;g mfpr le>k fd i{kdkj mPp f'kf{kr gS rFkk foi{kh la[;k 2 foosd ekFkqj ,d mPp lsok esa dk;Zjr gS vkSj dqN vkilh lw>&cw> dh deh ds dkj.k os vyx vyx jg jgsa gS vkSj ,d nwljs ds fo:} eqdnesa nkf[ky dj j[ksa gSaA rRi'pkr U;k;ky; us mfpr le>k fd ;fn i{kdkjksa dks cqykdj lqyg djk nh tk, rks i{kdkjksa dk nEifRr thou lq[ke; gks ldrk gSA blds ckn ekeyk fnukad 25&4&2022 dks lwph c} fd;k x;k rFkk i{kdkjksa dks U;k;ky; esa mifLFkr gksus gsrq vknsf'kr fd;k x;kA fnukad 25&4&2022 dks fuxjkuhdrkZ Jherh iwtk lDlsuk tks fd Lo;a ekeys dh iSjoh dj jgh gS] og U;k;ky; ds le{k mifLFkr jgh ijUrq foi{kh la[;k 2 foosd ekFkqj U;k;ky; ds le{k mifLFkr ugha gq, blfy, vkt 5&5&2022 dh frfFk iqu% lquokbZ ,oa i{kdkjksa dh mifLFkfr gsrq fu;r dh x;hA 3. vkt iqu% fuxjkuhdrkZ Jherh iwtk U;k;ky; ds le{k mifLFkr gS fdUrq foi{kh la[;k 2 foosd ekFkqj mifLFkr ugha gS ysfdu muds fo}ku vf/koDrk Jh ih;w"k nqcs mifLFkr gS muds }kjk U;k;ky; dks ;g crk;k x;k fd foi{kh la[;k 2 foosd ekFkqj lqyg ugha djuk pkgrs gSaA blh dkj.k ls og U;k;ky; esa mifLFkr ugha gSA vr,o U;k;ky; xq.k&nks"k ds vk/kkj ij fu.kZ; ikfjr dj jgh gSaA 5 All. Smt. Pooja Saxena & Anr. Vs. State of U.P. & Anr. 1099 4. vkt fnukad 5&5&2022 dks fuxjkuhdrkZ Jherh iwtk lDlsuk ,oa foi{kh la[;k 2 foosd ekFkqj ds fo}ku vf/koDrk Jh ih;w"k nqcs dks foLrkjiwoZd lquk ,oa i=koyh dk lE;d ifj'khyu fd;kA 5. fuxjkuhdrkZ dk dFku gS fd mldh 'kknh fnukad 23&1&2003 dks fgUnw jhfr fjokt ls foi{kh la[;k 2 foosd ekFkqj ds lkFk lEiUu gqbZ FkhA o"kZ 2015 rd mudk nEifRr thou lq[ke; O;rhr gqvk rRi'pkr vkilh erHksn mRiUu gksus ds dkj.k mlus okn la[;k 598 o"kZ 2015 fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; ds le{k ;ksftr fd;k ftlesa mlds }kjk ;g vfHkdfFkr fd;k x;k fd mDr 'kknh esa mldh ek¡ us 15 yk[k :i;s [kpZ fd;k FkkA ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd 'kknh ds le; og ,l0 ,u0 esfMdy dkyst esa ,e0 Mh0 dh i<+kbZ dj jgh Fkh tc fd mlds ifr dh 2004 esa baQksfll] cSaxyksj esa ukSdjh dj jgs FksA ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd mlds ifr o mlds ifjokjhtu mlij cnukeh dk ykaNu yxkdj mldh ukSdjh NqMk nh ftlij twu] 2005 esa og foi{kh la[;k 2 foosd ekFkqj ds ikl cSaxyksj pyh x;hA uoEcj] 2005 esa fuxjkuhdrkZ dks Hkh viksyks gkfLiVy cSaxyksj esa ukSdjh fey x;h] ysfdu llqjky okyksa ds ncko esa mlus vizSy] 2006 esa ukSdjh NksM nhA mlds ckn mldk p;u ;wukbZVsM us'ku] fnYyh esa gks x;k ysfdu og ukSdjh Hkh mldks NksMuh iMh ftlds dkj.k ls og tqykbZ] 2006 ls csjkstxkj gSA fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd mlds ifr foi{kh la[;k 2 us ;g dgk fd og ukSdjh ds lkFk&lkFk mPp f'k{kk izkIr djuk pkgrk blfy, fuxjkuhdrkZ viuh ukSdjh NksM nsa vkSj ?kj dk [;ky j[ksA bl izdkj mlus foi{kh la[;k 2 dh ckr ekudj yxHkx vkB lkyksa ls ?kj laHkky jgh gS vkSj foi{kh la[;k 2 ,p0 lh0 ,y0 dEiuh] cSaxyksj esa Mk;jsDVj ds in ij dk;Zjr gSA o"kZ 2008 esa i{kdkjksa ds lalxZ ls ,d lUrku mRiUu gqbZ ftlij mlds llqjky okyksa us fuxjkuhdrkZ ds fo:} ;g vkjksi yxk;k fd mDr larku foi{kh la[;k 2 dh ugha gS rc mlus Mh0 ,u0 ,0 VsLV dh ckr dgh rks foi{kh la[;k 2 rS;kj ugha gq, vkSj euk dj fn;k rRi'pkr fuxjkuhdrkZ dks foi{kh la[;k 2 o mlds ifjokjhtu }kjk izrkfMr djuk izkjEHk dj fn;k x;k vkSj fnukad 26&3&2014 dks foi{kh la[;k 2 us fuxjkuhdrkZ ds fo:} rykd dk okn ;ksftr dj fn;k ftlesa fuxjkuhdrkZ us rykd nsus ls euk dj fn;kA blh nkSjku foi{kh la[;k 2 us vius edku dks viuh cgu 'kkfyuh gkaMw dks fxQV dj fn;kA bl izdkj foi{kh la[;k 2 o mlds ifjokjhtu dh izrkMuk ds dkj.k fuxjkuhdrkZ fnukad 16&2&2015 ls viuh ek¡ ds ikl jg jgh gSA fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd foi{kh la[;k 2 dh vk; izfrekg ikap yk[k :i;s ds Åij dh gSA blds vykok vU; lzksrksa ls Hkh mldh ,d yk[k :i;s izfrekg dh vkenuh gSA ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd foi{kh la[;k 2 us ,d QySV ,d djksM lRrkbZl yk[k :i;s dk dz; dj j[kk gS blds vykok cSaxyksj esa mlds pkj IykV gS ftudh dher nks djksM :i;s gS vkSj mlds ikl yXtjh xkMh Hkh gSA ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd fuxjkuhdrkZ ds iq= f'k[kj dh vk;q 12 o"kZ gS vkSj mlds fny esa Nsn gS ftldk lEiw.kZ [kpkZ fuxjkuhdrkZ ij fuHkZj gS og blh dkj.k ls ukSdjh Hkh ugha dj ldrh gSA uksfVl dh rkehyk ds ckotwn foi{kh la[;k 2 fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; ds le{k mifLFkr ugha gqvk tc fd foi{kh la[;k 2 ij uksfVl dh rkehyk i;kZIr ekuh x;h gSA fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; us vkns'k fnukad 16&5&2016 ds }kjk fuxjkuhdrkZ Jherh iwtk lDlsuk dks foi{kh la[;k 2 foosd ekFkqj ls chl gtkj :i;s izfrekg rFkk ;kfpdk dh frfFk ls mlds iq= dks iUnzg gtkj :i;s izfrekg Hkj.k iks"k.k nsus gsrq vknsf'kr fd;k gSA fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd cdk;k ds lEca/k esa mls pkj yk[k vVBkou gtkj N% lkS :i;s dk Hkqxrku ugha fd;k x;k ftlds lEca/k esa mlus olwyh gsrq ,d okn l{ke U;k;ky; ds le{k izLrqr dj j[kk gS tks fopkjk/khu gSA fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd foi{kh la[;k 2 o mlds ifjokjhtu ds fo:} mlus ?kjsyw fgalk vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr ,d okn ;ksftr fd;k Fkk ftlesa vkns'k fnukad 17&7&2018 ds }kjk iPphl gtkj :i;k izfrekg varfje Hkj.k iks"k.k gsrq vknsf'kr fd;k x;k Fkk mDr ekeyk vafre fuLrkj.k gsrq yfEcr gSA ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd mDr vkns'k fnukad 17&7&2018 dks ikfjr fd;k x;k gS ijUrq vkt rd mldk Hkh dksbZ Hkqxrku fuxjkuhdrkZ dks ugha fd;k x;k tc fd olwyh dk 1100 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES vkns'k ikfjr fd;k tk pqdk gSA fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd foi{kh la[;k 2 us mlds fo:} tks rykd dk okn ;ksftr fd;k Fkk og fnlEcj] 2017 esa [kkfjt gks pqdk gS ftlds fo:} foi{kh la[;k 2 us mPp U;k;ky;] jktLFkku] tks/kiqj ihB ds le{k vihy ;ksftr dh gS tks fopkjk/khu gSA fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk ;g Hkh dFku fd;k x;k fd ftl le; mls izrkfMr djus dh dk;Zokgh dh x;h ml le; mldk ifr foi{kh la[;k 2 ,p0 lh0 ,y0 dEiuh] cSaxyksj esa Mk;jsDVj ds in ij dk;Zjr Fkk vkSj ml le; og yxHkx ikap yk[k :i;s izfrekg osru izkIr djrk Fkk rFkk mudk jgu&lgu Hkh mPp Lrj dk Fkk vkSj mudk iq= ml le; 6 o"kZ dk Fkk tks cSaxyksj esa ;wjksfdM esa I 6. mDr ds foijhr foi{kh la[;k 2 ds fo}ku vf/koDrk Jh ih;w"k nqcs }kjk ;g rdZ j[kk x;k fd fuxjkuhdrkZ ,d mPp f'kf{kr efgyk gS vkSj ,e0 Mh0 ikl gSA og dgha Hkh ukSdjh djds viuk o vius iq= dk ikyu iks"k.k djus esa lkeFkZ gSA ,slh n'kk esa fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; }kjk tks 35]000@&:i;k mls o mlds iq= dks nsus gsrq funsZf'kr fd;k x;k gS og mfpr gS vkSj mls c u iMsA Rajnesh vs. Neha and Ors. (04.11.2020 - SC) : MANU/SC/ 0833/2020 III-Criteria for determining quantum of maintenance : The factors which would weigh with the Court inter alia are the status of the parties; reasonable needs of the wife and dependant children; whether the Applicant is educated and professionally qualified; whether the Applicant has any independent source of income; whether the income is sufficient to enable her to maintain the same standard of living as she was accustomed to in her matrimonial home; whether the Applicant was employed prior to her marriage; whether she was working during the subsistence of the marriage; whether the wife was required to sacrifice her employment opportunities for nurturing the family, child rearing, and looking after adult members of the family; reasonable costs of litigation for a non-working wife. The maintenance amount awarded must be reasonable and realistic, and avoid either of the two extremes i.e. maintenance awarded to the wife should neither be so extravagant which becomes oppressive and unbearable for the Respondent, nor should it be so meagre that it drives the wife to penury. The sufficiency of the quantum has to be adjudged so that the wife is able to maintain herself with reasonable comfort. 62. The Courts have held that if the wife is earning, it cannot operate as a bar from being awarded maintenance by the husband. The Courts have provided guidance on this issue in the following judgments. 63. In Shailja and Anr. v. Khobbanna,12 this Court held that merely because the wife is capable of earning, it would not be a sufficient ground to reduce the maintenance awarded by the Family Court. The Court has to determine whether the income of the wife is sufficient to enable her to maintain herself, in accordance with the lifestyle of her husband in the matrimonial home.10 Sustenance does not mean, and cannot be allowed to mean mere survival.13 64. In Sunita Kachwaha and Ors. v. Anil Kachwaha MANU/SC/0964/2014 : (2014) 16 SCC 715 the wife had a postgraduate degree, and was employed as a teacher in Jabalpur. The husband raised a contention that since the wife had sufficient income, she would not require financial assistance from the husband. The Supreme Court repelled this contention, and held that merely because the wife was earning some income, it could not be a ground to reject her claim for maintenance. 92. In Badshah v. Urmila Badsha Godse MANU/SC/1084/ 2013: (2014) 1 SCC 188, the Supreme Court was considering the interpretation of Section 125 Code of Criminal Procedure. The Court held: 13.3. ...purposive interpretation needs to be given to the provisions of Section 125 Code of Criminal Procedure While dealing with the application of a destitute wife or hapless children or parents under this provision, the Court is dealing with the marginalised Sections of the society. The purpose is to achieve "social justice" which is the constitutional vision, enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution of India. The Preamble to the Constitution of India clearly signals that we have chosen the democratic path under the Rule of law to achieve the goal of securing for all its citizens, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. It specifically highlights achieving their social justice. Therefore, it 1102 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES becomes the bounden duty of the courts to advance the cause of the social justice. While giving interpretation to a particular provision, the court is supposed to bridge the gap between the law and society. 9. 1970 1⁄431⁄2 ,l0 lh0 lh0 129 1⁄4dqyHkw"k.k izfr jktdqekjh ,oa vU;1⁄2 esa ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; }kjk ;g fu/kkZfjr fd;k x;k gS fd Hkj.k iks"k.k jgu lgu dks /;ku esa j[kdj fu/kkZfjr gksuk pkfg,A ;g Hkh dgk gS fd og ifr ds vk; dk 25 izfr'kr gksuk pkfg,A 10. orZeku ekeys esa Hkh foi{kh la[;k 2 dh izfrekg osru nks yk[k pkSchl gtkj :i;k gS vkSj tks QySV ls fdjk;k izkIr dj jgk gS og Hkh iPphl gtkj :i;k ls Åij gSA mDr vk/kkj ij dqy nks yk[k ipkl gtkj :i;k dk 25 izfr'kr lkB gtkj :i;k curk gSA ,d QySV mlus cgu dks ns fn;k gS ml ij dksbZ vkifRr ugha gS vkSj ;g fd fuxjkuhdrkZ ,d mPp f'k{kk efgyk gS tks ,e0 Mh0 gS vkSj fdMuh dh ejht gS rFkk mldk iq= tks 12 o"kZ dk gS ,oa fny dk ejht gS vkSj vPNs fo|ky; ls f'k{kk izkIr dj jgk gSA lkFk gh ifr ds vuq:i jgu lgu dks /;ku esa j[kk tk, rks fuxjkuhdrkZ vkSj mldk iq= ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; ds mDr fu.kZ; ds vk/kkj ij 25 izfr'kr Hkj.k iks"k.k izkIr djus ds vf/kdkjh gSA fuxjkuhdrkZ }kjk vius rdZ ds leFkZu esa ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; }kjk flfoy vihy la[;k 4615 o"kZ 2017] euh"k tSu izfr vadk{kk tSu] nkf.Md vihy la[;k 125 o"kZ 2017] 'kSytk ,oa vU; izfr [kwcckuk ,oa nkf.Md vihy la[;k 730 o"kZ 2020] jtuh'k izfr usgk ,oa vU; esa nh x;h fof/k O;oLFkk;s Hkh izLrqr dh x;h gSA 11. fuxjkuhdrkZ rFkk mlds iq= dh ifjfLFkfr;ka] jgu lgu] mudh chekjh dk [kpZ] iq= dh IifjfLFkfr;ka] jgu lgu] mudh chekjh dk [kpZ] iq= dh i