Stridhan Property is Wife’s Absolute Property

Stridhan property is essentially what is gifted to a woman before marriage, at the time of marriage or at the time of bidding of farewell or thereafter and it is an “absolute property” of a woman. The husband has no control over it and it does not become a joint property of the wife and the husband. But he can use it in times of distress and he has a “moral obligation” to restore the same or its value to his wife, says the Supreme Court (SC) in Maya Gopinath v Anoop S B [2024 INSC 334].

Wife’s right to Claim Maintenance in India

Maintenance refers to the amount payable by a husband to the wife (or wife to husband) who is unable to maintain herself. It can be claimed either during the marriage or after the divorce. The objective of granting maintenance is to ensure that the dependent spouse should not be lead to destitution or vagrancy but it should not be a punishment to the other.

Types of Divorce under Muslim Personal Law

Muslim personal law recognises divorce as a lawful way to end a marriage, but it is considered the last resort and should be considered only after making attempts for reconciliation. Divorce can be initiated by either the husband or the wife, but there are specific rules and procedures that need to be followed depending on the circumstances, such as the type of divorce being sought, the waiting period (iddah) for the wife, and the division of property and assets.