The Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF) celebrated after a court in Pune rejected a wife's Rs 80,000 per month maintenance claim, stated the men's rights NGO in a press release on Monday.
According to the release, in December 2022, Ravidip Singh's wife Shital filed domestic violence and divorce cases in Pune, seeking ₹80,000 monthly maintenance and ₹2,00,000 in litigation expenses. "Despite her claims of being jobless, evidence revealed her extensive IT experience and income from stock market investments. Ravidip presented evidence in court, exposing his wife's falsehoods. On January 4, 2025, the court rejected Shital's maintenance claims, acknowledging her professional capability. This victory came after four years of legal battles. Although the domestic violence and 498A cases continue, Ravidip remains determined to prove his and his family's innocence," it added.
SIFF, in the release, gave a detailed account of the case. It mentioned that Ravidip is a native of Jalandhar in Punjab. He began his career in 2006 as a software professional. In July 2016, he married Shital from Pune. "The couple moved to Europe, where Ravidip bore all expenses for Shital's transition, including visa, travel and living costs. They resided there from 2016 to 2020, visiting India briefly each year," it added.
However, during the Covid period, Shital expressed dissatisfaction as the couple were living with Ravidip's parents. "Subsequently, she filed an FIR in Pune with assistance from her friend in the Pune Police. Ravidip faced severe accusations, including sections IPC 498A, 354, 504, 34, 377, and charges under the SC/ST Atrocities Act. Despite the secrecy and lack of due process, Ravidip was issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) and detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport in February 2021. His passport was confiscated, and he was sent to Tihar Jail," the release added.
"Ravidip's struggle continued as he battled to secure bail and retrieve his passport amidst a slow judicial process. By January 2022, he managed to reclaim his passport, but he had lost employment opportunities in Germany. He then joined SIFF and got guidance from the NGO, helping him win the case," it concluded.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Vakharia, a board member of SIFF, in the release questioned whether the judicial system encourages women to "sit idle and lazy by providing periodic maintenance, rather than promoting self-reliance. This, he argues, creates an entitled mindset where dependency is rewarded and accountability is ignored."