Guwahati, Sept. 20 -- The Kerala High Court ruled that a court cannot force a beggar to pay maintenance to his wife.

It also instructed the government to ensure that destitute spouses receive food and clothing.

The judgment came in a unique case where a woman approached the court seeking maintenance from her blind husband, who survives by begging.

As per Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan "it would be inappropriate to force someone who relies on alms to support others, citing a Malayalam proverb, "one should not dip into another person's begging bowl".

The case was associated with a man who had tied the knot twice under Muslim Personal Law and was asked by his second wife for Rs 10,000 per month in maintenance.

The Family Court in Malappuram...