Hasin Jahan, the estranged wife of Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, has stated that the ₹4 lakh monthly alimony recently ordered by the Calcutta High Court is insufficient, and that she requires more money. Jahan's statement comes after a protracted legal battle with Shami, which began in 2018 when she filed a complaint accusing him of domestic violence and dowry harassment.
The Calcutta High Court recently directed Shami to pay ₹4 lakh per month as interim maintenance to Jahan and their daughter. This amount includes ₹1.5 lakh for Jahan and ₹2.5 lakh for their daughter. The court's decision revised a previous order from a district sessions court in 2023, which had mandated a significantly lower amount of ₹1.30 lakh per month. Jahan had challenged the 2023 order, arguing that it was inadequate to meet her and her daughter's needs.
Jahan expressed her gratitude towards the legal system after the court's decision, but also stated that the amount was not enough. She pointed out that Shami is a well-paid international cricketer and can afford to provide more financial support. "The status with which he leads his life, my daughter and I also have the right to maintain the same status," she added. Jahan stated that she had initially demanded ₹10 lakh per month from the court seven years ago, considering Shami's income and the rising inflation. In her plea to the district sessions court in 2023, Jahan had sought ₹7 lakh for herself and ₹3 lakh for her daughter.
Jahan's advocate, Imtiaz Ahmed, confirmed that there is a high chance the maintenance might be upgraded to ₹6 lakh. He noted that the High Court has directed the trial court to dispose of the main application of the interim order within six months. He also mentioned that Jahan's initial claim in her maintenance application was for ₹7 lakh for herself and ₹3 lakh for her daughter.
The court stated that Jahan, who remains unmarried and is living independently with her child, is entitled to a standard of maintenance similar to what she enjoyed during the marriage. The court also emphasized the need to ensure financial stability for both Jahan and her daughter. Justice Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee stated that Shami "is in a position to pay a higher amount".
Jahan had filed an FIR against Shami and his family in 2018, alleging domestic violence, dowry harassment, and "sustained indifference and neglect" of her minor daughter. She also accused Shami of harassment for dowry, match fixing and avoiding “responsibility” for her family's expenses. She said that Shami had not provided adequate financial support, forcing her to seek legal recourse. "Thank God there is a law in our country that holds people accountable," Jahan said.
Shami and Jahan married in 2014 and have a daughter born in 2015. They separated in 2018 after Jahan made her accusations. The legal battle between them has been ongoing since then.
