CHENNAI: The Madras HC has upheld an order dated September 12, 2007 of the Judicial Magistrate, Bhavani in Erode district, directing film director Perarasu to pay Rs10,000 to his wife and another Rs 5,000 to his daughter per month towards maintenance.
Perarasu, an assistant film director at that time, got married to Shanthi at Nattarasankottai on June 11, 2000. A female child Viruthika was born to them in July 2001. When Shanthi conceived for the second time, she was given tablets for aborting the child and she became sick and she was sent back to her parent’s house by her husband and in-laws.
A panchayat was convened and they started living together. However, Perarasu insisted that Shanthi settle down in Nattarasankottai. Meanwhile, he obtained an ex-parte divorce decree without Shanthi’s knowledge. She initiated steps to get the decree quashed.
Shanthi contended that Perarasu by then had become a famous film director and he was getting Rs 2 crore for one film and leading a luxurious life. She moved the JM court in Bhavani, which directed Perarasu to pay the maintenance. Aggrieved, Perarasu preferred the present revision petition.
Dismissing the petition, Justice T Sudanthiram pointed out that from the evidence of Shanthi it was established that she was neglected by her husband and was forced to leave the matrimonial home. Perarasu had not chosen to come forward to examine himself as a witness to controvert the evidence of his wife before the lower court. He had also not come forward with any specific evidence regarding his income and he had not chosen to file any I-T return. ‘‘Therefore, this court is to accept the evidence of Shanthi. The maintenance amount awarded to her by the lower court is also not excessive.’’