Polygamy out of bounds for Muslim men if they lack means: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has held that successive marriages by a Muslim man cannot bejustified when he lacks the means to maintain his wives.

- CORRESPONDENT

The court stressed that polygamy is not an unrestricted right under Muslim personal law and cannot be used to exploit women, especially when they are left destitute.

The ruling came from Justice P V Kunhikrishnan while hearing a petition filed by a 39-year-old woman from Perinthalmanna. She sought a monthly maintenance of Rs 10,000 from her 46-year-old husband, a native of Kumbadi in Palakkad, who, according to her, survives primarily through begging.

Earlier, the Family Court had dismissed her plea, stating that a man without income cannot be compelled to pay maintenance.