Maharashtra Family Court Directs Dhananjay Munde to Provide Rs 2 Lakh Monthly Support to Karuna Sharma

Mumbai, Feb 6 (NationPress) In a setback for NCP leader and Maharashtra’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde, the Bandra Family Court has mandated him to pay Rs 2 lakh each month as interim maintenance to Karuna Sharma, his live-in partner. This ruling arrives amidst escalating demands for his resignation following the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district.

The court's order was issued in response to Karuna Sharma’s plea under the Domestic Violence Act, where she requested Rs 15 lakh in monthly support from Munde, who had previously acknowledged their past relationship and recognized their children, which formed the basis for this ruling.

While Munde was recuperating from eye surgery, his lawyer Sayali Sawant released a statement clarifying the ruling. “The court’s order pertains solely to interim maintenance based on financial considerations. It does not suggest any negative findings against my client concerning violence allegations. The order was granted based on the financial needs of the applicants,” the press note stated.

The relevant section of the court’s ruling asserts, “Taking into account the basic necessities of Applicant No 1 and No 3, their income level, and the lifestyle of the respondent, I believe they are entitled to maintenance under Section 20 of the Domestic Violence Act. Thus, an interim maintenance sum of Rs 1,25,000 per month to Applicant No 1 and Rs 75,000 per month to Applicant No 3 from the Respondent is adequate.”

In response to the decision, an emotional Sharma welcomed the ruling but expressed her disappointment with the awarded amount. “I do not accept this verdict. I will appeal to the Bombay High Court seeking Rs 15 lakh per month. My house rent alone is Rs 1.70 lakh, and maintenance is only Rs 30,000. My son is unemployed. How can I manage with just Rs 2 lakh? I have been fighting this battle alone for three years, even selling my jewelry to survive,” she lamented.

Sharma further claimed victory in obtaining recognition as Munde’s wife. “I should no longer be referred to as Karuna Sharma but Karuna Dhananjay Munde. The court has granted me the status of the first wife, and my struggle for the Munde name has prevailed,” she asserted.

Additionally, Karuna Sharma declared her intention to claim Munde’s assets. “I will pursue all of Dhananjay Munde’s property, which has been unlawfully registered in the name of his second wife, Rajshree. I was not informed when he remarried. I was in Indore at that time,” she claimed.

In a shocking statement, Sharma accused Walmik Karad, a close associate of Munde currently imprisoned for the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, of assaulting her. “Karad had beaten me and touched me inappropriately,” she alleged.

Sharma also spoke about the emotional burden of her fight. “I have had suicidal thoughts. My mother took her own life, but when I think of her, I hold back. If she were alive, I wouldn’t have to face this struggle alone,” she shared.