New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the government of West Bengal and cricketer Mohammed Shami after his estranged wife Hasin Jahan petitioned for an increase in alimony. Jahan argued that the ₹4 lakh monthly alimony awarded earlier was insufficient for her and her daughter, citing Shami’s lavish lifestyle and high earnings.

The SC bench, headed by Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan, remarked that the current alimony was “quite handsome”, yet issued notices to the parties, allowing the matter to be heard after four weeks. The court also suggested mediation as an option to settle the dispute.

Background: High Court orders challenged

The petition challenges previous orders from the Calcutta High Court. On July 1, a single bench granted ₹1.5 lakh per month to Hasin Jahan and ₹2.5 lakh per month for her daughter. A division bench upheld this ruling on August 25, which is now being contested in the Supreme Court.

Hasin Jahan’s claims

In her petition, Jahan cited Shami’s status as an A-list national cricketer and his high net worth, claiming his monthly income exceeds ₹1.08 crore and his overall net worth is around ₹500 crore. She added that she has been unemployed since marriage, lacking an independent source of income, and that Shami is deliberately manipulating the courts to avoid equitable maintenance.

Representing Jahan, senior advocate Shobha Gupta and advocate Sriram Parakatt argued that the existing alimony does not reflect Shami’s lifestyle and financial capacity.

Legal history

Hasin Jahan, a former model, married Shami in 2014. The couple had a daughter in 2015 and separated in 2018 after Hasin Jahan alleged domestic violence. Since then, the couple has been involved in divorce proceedings and alimony disputes, including previous cases filed in Alipore Court against Shami and his family.

Supreme Court action

While the SC appeared surprised by the alimony demand, it issued notices to the West Bengal government and Mohammed Shami, posting the matter for further hearing in four weeks. The court’s comments indicate that while it considers the existing alimony generous, it is open to reviewing the petitioner’s claims.

Conclusion

The case highlights ongoing legal battles over maintenance and alimony in high-profile marriages, balancing the financial rights of dependents with the lifestyle and income of high-earning individuals. The Supreme Court’s forthcoming hearing will decide whether Hasin Jahan’s alimony can be increased to reflect her and her daughter’s needs.