The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday has directed Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami to pay a revised monthly alimony of ₹4 lakh to his estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, which includes support for their minor daughter.
This is a significant increase from the earlier ₹1.3 lakh ordered by a district court in 2023—₹50,000 for Jahan and ₹80,000 for their child. The decision came following an appeal filed by Jahan, who had originally sought ₹10 lakh per month in maintenance.
Court Cites Shami’s Substantial Income
During the hearing, Jahan’s legal team argued that Shami’s income justified a higher maintenance amount. As per official tax records submitted to the court, the cricketer earned nearly ₹7.2 crore in FY 2021, averaging around ₹60 lakh per month. Jahan claimed that her monthly expenses, including those for her daughter, exceeded ₹6 lakh.
Taking into account Shami’s financial disclosures, the High Court bench, led by Justice [Name as per actual bench if known], concluded that the revised amount was both fair and necessary.
“The husband’s earnings demonstrate he is well capable of providing for the petitioner and their child. The wife, who has remained unmarried and is independently raising their daughter, deserves to live with dignity,” the court observed, according to Bar and Bench.
Court Strikes Balance On Maintenance
The bench emphasized that while alimony shouldn’t be excessive, it must reflect both the earning capacity of the husband and the standard of living the wife enjoyed during the marriage.
“A token amount would be unjust, given the respondent’s considerable income. The revised figure ensures reasonable security for the wife and child without being punitive,” the judge remarked.
Long-standing Marital Dispute
Shami and Jahan married in 2014, but their relationship deteriorated in 2018, when Jahan filed a police complaint accusing Shami and members of his family of domestic violence and abuse. The couple has been estranged since, with legal proceedings continuing over financial support and custody.
The latest court order is a key development in the ongoing dispute, setting a precedent on the responsibility of high-earning public figures in matrimonial cases.
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