PRAYAGRAJ, Jan. 13 -- The Allahabad high court has held that a wife cannot be denied maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) merely because she is highly qualified or possesses vocational skills, as this cannot lead to the conclusion that she (wife) is working for gain.

Justice Garima Prashad also observed that it is misplaced for a husband to rely solely on the qualifications of his wife to evade his legal obligation to maintain her. The court added that the wife's mere potential to earn is distinct from actual gainful employment.

The court emphasised that this is a reality faced by many women, who, despite their education, find it difficult to join the workforce after years of domestic duties and childcare ...