New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- In a significant judgment examining whether a mother's employment and independent income could be a ground to lower the father's financial contribution towards the interim maintenance of their minor children, the Supreme court clarified last week the extent to which the mother's earnings can be taken into account while determining the father's liability.

The dispute began when a man's wife and their two daughters approached the family court years back to seek maintenance of Rs.2.5 lakh per month from him, according to a SCC Online report.

At the time of hearing, the wife worked at a hospital in Greater Noida as a MBBS and DGO qualified gynaecologist, drawing an monthly income of Rs.1.5 lakh. The husband, on the oth...