Maintenance Must Be Paid From Date Of Application In Domestic Violence Cases: Andhra Pradesh High Court Reiterates

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled on the scope of interim maintenance under the Domestic Violence Act. The Court held that interim maintenance can be granted under the Domestic Violence Act even if the parties are not legally married, and emphasized that the Act aims to provide relief to individuals facing domestic violence. It further clarified that interim maintenance should be determined based on the applicant's needs and the respondent’s ability to pay, aiming to ensure the applicant's financial support during the case proceedings.