In a fresh development, the Supreme Court of India (SC) issued notices to cricketer Mohammed Shami and the West Bengal Government following a petition from his estranged wife, Hasin Jahan. She challenged the existing maintenance order, which the Calcutta High Court had fixed at ₹1.5 lakh per month for herself and ₹2.5 lakh for their daughter. Jahan argued that Shami’s income and lifestyle far exceed what the maintenance award reflects. She asserted that the daughter deserves a standard of living akin to her father’s. The Supreme Court bench asked both parties to file responses within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled in December.
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Supreme Court Seeks Response from Mohammed Shami and West Bengal Government
In her plea, Jahan contended that the current maintenance amounts are inadequate given Shami’s substantial earnings and assets. She pointed out that affidavits reveal property worth hundreds of crores, luxury vehicles and frequent international travel. She maintained she is not claiming a personal right over Shami’s entire income but insisted their daughter must not suffer. Jahan emphasised that the child has the right to attend comparable schools, associate with peers of similar backgrounds and live with dignity. She further alleged that Shami defaulted on payments for several months despite court directives from both the family court and the High Court. The case signifies a continuing legal tussle between the ex-spouses since 2018.
Shami, who remains active in international cricket for India, has largely refrained from publicly discussing his personal life and legal dispute. He previously stated: “I don’t regret the past. What’s gone is gone. I just want to focus on cricket.” Nonetheless, the ongoing litigation continues to attract attention due to his high-profile sports career and the substantial maintenance claim. Jahan’s plea seeks upward revision to reflect Shami’s current earning capacity and lifestyle. The SC’s notice to both him and the state government underscores the matter’s gravity. The bench’s remark that “Isn’t ₹4 lakh per month already a lot of money?” further highlights the court’s scrutiny of the claimed amount.
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Legal Dispute Continues Amid Public and Judicial Attention
The West Bengal government’s involvement stems from its role in maintaining the records and possibly enforcing maintenance orders under state jurisdiction. The SC directed the state to respond specifically on any enforcement or facilitation role it may hold. The bench’s approach indicates that both individual and state accountability may be relevant in this maintenance matter. Jahan’s petition challenges not only the quantum of maintenance but also the effective implementation of the award. The case therefore extends beyond the father-child relationship into broader issues of child support, legal enforcement and the state’s role therein. The December hearing will likely focus on both responses filed and next steps.
The dispute between Shami and Jahan commenced in 2018 amid allegations of domestic abuse, dowry harassment and financial disagreements. Their acrimonious relationship has unfolded in both the courtroom and the public domain over the years. Jahan’s current move to increase maintenance reflects shifting circumstances, notably Shami’s growth in earnings and asset base. The case underscores how maintenance awards fixed earlier may become inadequate if the payer’s financial status significantly improves. The SC’s involvement brings national attention to what might otherwise have remained a regional family-law dispute. It also signals the judiciary’s readiness to revisit maintenance orders when justified by changed circumstances.
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