How a man got divorced without paying a single rupee in alimony or maintenance

In a time when divorce cases often involve massive alimony and maintenance payouts, one case shared on Reddit has gone viral for defying the norm—a man reportedly secured a divorce without paying a single rupee in alimony or maintenance.

According to a viral post by Reddit user itachi_senpai1, the man and his parents were entangled in multiple legal cases filed by his wife, including charges under IPC Section 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives), CrPC Section 125 (maintenance), and a domestic violence case.

Instead of hiring a lawyer, the man chose to represent himself in court.


Initially, the wife allegedly demanded Rs 70 lakh as settlement. Over the course of a year, that amount dropped to Rs 35 lakh, and later to Rs 30 lakh. In response, the husband made a counteroffer of just Rs 1 lakh.

After nearly three years of legal battle, the wife's advocate reportedly approached him with a proposal for a mutual divorce—with no alimony or maintenance involved.

The man, according to the post, celebrated his divorce with friends and coworkers with a custom-made “divorce-themed” cake too.

The post has since gone viral, sparking a wave of reactions in the comment section.

“Seems easy on paper,” one user commented. “The judges have a shitty attitude and mentality. They think if divorce happens, the man has to pay no matter what.”

Another user added, “I’ve heard from several people that lawyers work with each other and the judge to make money off divorces. They collude—part of the alimony goes to the judge, part to the wife’s lawyer, and a cut even to the husband’s lawyer.”

One comment summed up the sentiment for many: “This isn’t a flex, but a glimmer of hope for people who face intimidation through false accusations and legal bullying. Many are forced into settlements they don’t deserve. People should be encouraged to learn their rights and how to navigate the system. Legal battles are some of the most draining experiences anyone can go through.”