Executing a Section 24 Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) order for interim maintenance requires filing an execution petition under Section 28 of the HMA read with Order 21 of the CPC. If the liable spouse defaults, remedies include property attachment, salary garnishment, or civil imprisonment. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 


Key Steps for Execution

1. Calculate Arrears: Compute the exact total amount due, including unpaid monthly maintenance and pending litigation expenses.
2. File an Execution Petition: Draft an execution petition and submit it to the same Family Court or District Court that passed the original Section 24 order.
3. Issuance of Notice: The court will issue a notice to the defaulting spouse, requiring them to pay the arrears or show cause for their default.
4. Court Directives: The court may explore methods to recover the dues, such as attaching the defaulter’s movable/immovable property, or ordering a deduction directly from their salary. [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] 

Enforcement Remedies Available


If the defaulting spouse fails to clear the dues after the notice:

• Attachment and Sale of Property: The court can order the attachment and auction of the defaulter’s assets to recover the maintenance sum.
• Salary Garnishment: The court can direct the defaulter’s employer to deduct the maintenance amount directly from their paycheck.
• Civil Imprisonment: If the default is deemed willful and not due to a genuine lack of resources, the court may order civil imprisonment (often up to a few months) to compel payment. [2, 11, 12, 13, 14] 

Important Precedents

• Striking off Defense: In landmark rulings (such as the principles affirmed in matters like Smt. Malkan Rani vs Krishan Kumar), courts have the inherent power to strike down the defaulting spouse’s defense or stay the main divorce proceedings if they willfully refuse to pay interim maintenance. This ensures the dependent spouse is financially capable of participating in the trial. [1, 7] 

Actionable Resources


To begin the drafting and filing process, consult the following resources:

• Indian Kanoon: Review the foundational text and legislative context of Section 24 in The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
• Indian Kanoon: Study the historical context and court powers outlined in Smt. Malkan Rani vs Krishan Kumar.
• CaseMine: Access commentaries on the legal mechanisms for Enforcing Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act Through Inherent Jurisdiction.

More on 99888-17966

[1] https://www.casemine.com/commentary/in/enforcing-section-24-of-the-hindu-marriage-act-through-inherent-jurisdiction:-shmt.-malkan-rani-v.-krishan-kumar/view
[2] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/legal-limits-civil-imprisonment-maintenance-default-under-pawan-reley-fltzc
[3] https://lawrato.com/divorce-legal-advice/execution-petition-in-section-24-of-hindu-marriage-act-is-maintainable-261325
[4] https://lawspicious.com/how-alimony-is-determined-in-india/
[5] https://thematrimoniallawyers.com/maintenance-for-wife-in-india/
[6] https://supremetoday.ai/issue/procedure-execution-maintenance-pendente-lite-section-24-hma
[7] https://indiankanoon.org/doc/607623/
[8] https://amlegals.com/enforcement-of-arbitral-awards-in-india/
[9] https://www.menwelfare.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MOHIET-ANAND-vs-PARUL-ANAND.pdf
[10] https://supremetoday.ai/search/recovery-procedure-interim-maintenance-arrears
[11] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-criteria-maintenance-india-legal-under-144-krishnan-t-hpncf
[12] https://restthecase.com/knowledge-bank/crpc/section-128
[13] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-file-execution-msme-award-india-complete-legal-rohilla-ktchf
[14] https://bestdivorcelawyerinmumbai.com/execution-of-court-orders-maintenance-custody-domestic-violence/