Bombay High Court Sends Man to Civil Prison for Failing to Pay Maintenance to Wife, Children

The Bombay High Court, in a case presided over by Justices GS Kulkarni and Advait M Sethna, found Dr. Manish Ganvir guilty of contempt for deliberately evading multiple court orders and causing undue hardship to his family. The Court strongly criticized his disregard for the rule of law, stating that he had no respect for court orders.

The case stemmed from a marital dispute between a couple married in 2002. Their conflict began in 2009 when the husband filed for divorce, which was later dismissed by the Family Court in 2015. However, the issue of maintenance remained unresolved. In 2019, the Bombay High Court ordered the husband to pay ₹35,000 per month in maintenance to his wife and children. Despite this order, he consistently failed to comply, prompting the wife to file a contempt petition in July 2019.

Over the years, the husband actively avoided legal proceedings, with court bailiffs reporting that he deliberately evaded service. He filed multiple appeals and review petitions, including at the Supreme Court, all of which were dismissed. Frustrated by his repeated attempts to escape his legal obligations, the Court took coercive measures such as issuing bailable warrants and ordering personal service, but he still refused to comply. The Bench remarked that the contemnor had no regard for court orders and lacked even basic concern for maintaining his wife and daughters.

The Court further observed that the husband’s persistent non-compliance had caused suffering to his wife and children for six years. It noted that, despite their right to live with dignity, the husband’s defiance had deprived them of basic financial support. The Bench strongly condemned his actions, emphasizing that he had become habitual in avoiding legal processes.

When the husband’s counsel argued that the maintenance amount was too high and that he had valid reasons for non-compliance, the Court rejected these claims. It ruled that the maintenance order had already attained finality after being upheld in multiple proceedings, including by the Supreme Court. Given his blatant disregard for the law, the Court concluded that punishment was necessary.

As a result, the Bombay High Court sentenced Dr. Manish Ganvir to six months of civil imprisonment. Since he was present in court, he was immediately directed to surrender at the High Court Police Station, from where he was taken into custody.

In this case, Advocate RV Sankpal and Advocate Chanchal Singh, instructed by RV Sankpal & Associates, represented the wife. The husband was represented by Advocate C Joshi, along with Advocate Tanvi Nimbalkar and Advocate Bhushan joshi.