Committing Adultery' Distinct From Living In Adultery, Maintenance Can't Be Denied For 'Mere Lapse' Unless Continued: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court's recent judgment has clarified the interpretation of "living in adultery" under Section 125 of the CrPC. This section deals with maintenance for wives, children, and parents. The ruling likely provides a stricter definition of what constitutes adultery in the context of denying maintenance, moving beyond mere suspicion to require concrete proof of a continuous illicit relationship. This clarification is crucial for ensuring fair adjudication in matrimonial disputes, balancing the right to maintenance with grounds for its forfeiture.