Special Marriage Act, 1954
37. permanent alimony and maintenance
(1) Any court
exercising jurisdiction under Chapter V or Chapter VI may, at the time of
passing any decree or at any time subsequent to the decree, on application made
to it for the purpose, order that the husband shall secure to the wife for her
maintenance and support, if necessary, by a charge on the husband’s property,
such gross sum or such monthly or periodical payment of money for a term not
exceeding her life, as, having regard to her own property, if any, her
husband’s property and ability 39[the conduct of the parties and
other circumstances of the case], it may seem to the court to be just.
(2) If the district
court is satisfied that there in a change in the circumstances of either party
at any time after it has made an order under sub-section (1), it may, at the
instance of either party, vary, modify or rescind any such order in such manner
as it may seem to the court to be just.
(3) If the district
court is satisfied that the wife in whose favor an order has been made under
this section has remarried or is not leading a chaste life, 40[it
may, at the instance of the husband vary, modify or rescind any such order and
in such manner as the court may deem just.]