A division bench of Justice P B Majmudar and Justice Anoop Mohta was hearing a petition filed by film producer Gaurang Doshi's wife Madhuri challenging the family court's June 16, 2010, order on providing a monthly maintenance of Rs 50,000 each to her and their daughter. She had sought Rs 2 lakh for herself and Rs 75,000 for the daughter, besides accommodation and a car.
Arguing that her maintenance be enhanced, Madhuri's petition pointed out that till May 2004, Doshi gave her Rs 3 lakh only for household expenses. There was a domestic dispute after that and the two had been living separately since then.
Madhuri's advocate Satish Maneshinde said Doshi often delayed payment of maintenance despite giving an undertaking to court.
Doshi, who made films such as Aankhen and Deewaar, earlier told the court that he was making another movie and waiting for the financiers to come from abroad. He also said he had huge financial liabilities.
The judges asked Doshi to give, without prejudice, an extra Rs 20,000 for his daughter to spend during the summer holiday. "You were taking them on a chartered plane, your daughter is accustomed to a good life. As a gesture of a good man, give her," said Justice Majmudar.
"As a good father, some enhancement will not hurt him," said Maneshinde, adding that Doshi led a lavish lifestyle and spent as much in a single day. He further said that for each film, Doshi earned a profit of crores. However, Doshi said, "My last film flopped badly in 2004." When the judges asked him what he was doing for eight years, he said he was embroiled in litigation. "There are good times and bad times. She must adjust. I don't deny I gave them a good life,'' said Doshi.
Justice Majmudar then said: "You are responsible. You made her accustomed to such a lifestlyle. Taking her on a chartered plane, etc. Once a wife is accustomed to a particular lifestyle, she will find it difficult to adjust in bad times."
Doshi agreed to pay the amount after two weeks, saying he had to arrange for it. "We wish you good times,'' said Justice Majmudar.
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