The Supreme Court of India has served notices to Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami and the West Bengal government following a plea by his estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, requesting a raise in the monthly maintenance for herself and their daughter. Jahan challenged a Calcutta High Court decision setting the alimony at Rs 1.5 lakh per month for her and Rs 2.5 lakh for their child, arguing that the amount was insufficient given Shami’s income and lifestyle, and urging an increase in the support.
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court bench questioned, “Isn’t Rs 4 lakh per month already a substantial sum?” Despite this, the bench requested responses from both Shami and the West Bengal government within four weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for December.
Jahan’s legal representative contended that Shami’s earnings and assets exceeded the figures stated in the current maintenance order, emphasizing his extensive wealth, property holdings in the hundreds of crores, luxury vehicles, frequent international travels, and lavish living standards. The petition also alleged that Shami had failed to make payments for several months despite court directives.
The plea stressed that while Jahan did not seek personal entitlement to her husband’s earnings, their daughter deserved a quality of life similar to that of her father, including attending comparable schools, engaging with peers of similar backgrounds, and living with dignity.
This development signifies the latest development in the ongoing legal dispute between Shami and Jahan, stemming from allegations of domestic abuse, dowry harassment, and financial disagreements dating back to 2018. The tumultuous relationship between the couple has unfolded both in legal proceedings and public scrutiny.
Despite continuing to represent India in international cricket, Shami has refrained from commenting on his personal affairs, focusing on his sporting career. He has expressed his desire to concentrate on cricket, stating, “I don’t dwell on the past. I want to move forward without blaming anyone, not even myself.”
Both Shami and the West Bengal government must furnish their responses within four weeks, following which the Supreme Court will resume the case in December.