Pay Rs 16k alimony to Barsa Swony: Odisha court rules

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Balasore, Apr 12:

A local court here today disposed of the alimony petition filed against former Odisha Minister Raghunath Mohanty’s son Rajashree Mohanty to pay monthly maintenance to his estranged wife Barsa Swony Choudhury.

Adjudicating over the case, Balasore Family Court today passed the final order directing Rajashree Mohanty to pay alimony of Rs 16, 000 per month to Barsa Swony Choudhury.

On January 14 this year, the Family Court had passed an interim order to pay her a monthly interim maintenance allowance of Rs 25,000.

“I welcome the verdict pronounced by the Family Court. I won’t say that I am happy with the verdict. The alimony amount of Rs 16, 000 a month would be insufficient for me as I am pursuing higher studies in Bhubaneswar. As after maintenance, the next level is divorce… its better he (Rajashree) decide. Both our families have suffered, our prestige, reputation has hampered. I never wanted to take maintenance, divorce from Rajashree and lead a separate life. Like every girl, I too wanted to lead a healthy family life,” Barsa Swony Choudhury said.

“Rajashree has told media several times that the case has reached to such extent due to some of their political rivals. Now, it is upto him to decide whether to encourage his rivals or protect his family life,” she added.

Barsa Swony had filed a petition on September 26, 2013 seeking a monthly maintenance of Rs 60,000 for her higher studies and sustenance.

Notably, Rajashree had filed for divorce in the same court on March 24, 2014; the case was admitted on March 30 that year.