Court sets alimony via doc's prescription

A Delhi court has ordered a TV serial producer to pay a monthly alimony of Rs 33,000 to his estranged wife, assessing his "humongous" income from the fact that he was being treated by a renowned doctor who also treats the President of India.

Khurshid Alam, a TV serial producer-cum-director on the panel of Delhi Doordarshan, had opposed his wife's plea for maintenance contending that he is suffering from various ailments including liver cancer, hernia and thyroid and is unable to work since 2003.

Alam's argument, however, backfired when the court noted from the doctor's prescription, submitted by him, that he was being treated by Dr Harsh Mahajan, the Honorary Radiologist to the President of India, and said it indicates Alam's "financial status."

"It is further pertinent to mention that prescription is dated March 14, 2009 on which date the respondent has alleged that he was not working. When he was not working, how can he approach such a renowned doctor for his diagnosis," said Metropolitan Magistrate Vandana Jain.

"It is difficult to understand as to from where the respondent has collected so much of funds so as to get such an expensive treatment and that too from a private centre and such a reputed doctor," the metropolitan magistrate added.

The court said "from the pleadings it cannot be denied that he must be earning humongous amount so as to arrange funds for getting his treatment done".

"In these circumstances and keeping in view the status as well as the nature of work, he was doing earlier after deducting the medical expenses which he must be incurring from his income is assessed to be Rs one lakh per month.

"Accordingly, respondent is directed to pay Rs 33,000 per month to the complainant from the date of filing the present petition till disposal of the same," the court ordered.

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