In a set back to film producer Gaurang Doshi, the Bombay High Court has directed him to forthwith pay arrears of maintenance to his estranged wife or face contempt proceedings.
A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and F M Reis was hearing a petition filed by the estranged wife Madhuri Doshi claiming that her husband, as assured to the High Court earlier, has not paid her the maintenance money.
On May 9, the High Court directed Gaurang to pay the arrears within a week's time. "The respondent (Gaurang) shall forthwith pay arrears within one week from today else, appropriate contempt proceedings shall be initiated against him and further order shall be passed," the court said.
The bench allowed the petitioner Madhuri to approach the vacation bench of the High Court if Gaurang fails to pay the arrears within a week.
According to Madhuri's petition, she had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Gaurang and her in-laws on charges of harassment in March 2005. Thereafter the duo moved the family court for divorce.
Madhuri had approached the High Court challenging a family court order of June 16, 2010, on providing a monthly maintenance of Rs 50,000 each to her and their daughter. She also sought Rs 2 lakh for herself and Rs 75,000 for the daughter.
According to Madhuri's counsels, Gaurang had failed to pay the maintenance money on several occasions and hence should be directed to pay the arrears. The petition prayed that Doshi be punished with imprisonment for six months and heavy cost be imposed on him.
In July 2011, Doshi, who has produced movies like 'Aankhen' and 'Deewar', was convicted and sentenced to three years in jail by a lower court for dowry harassment.
