SC issues notice to Md Shami on wife's alimony plea to increase from 4 to 10 lakhs monthly

India's fiery fast bowler Mohammed Shami finds himself bowled over once more—not by a yorker, but by the Supreme Court's stern scrutiny in a bitter alimony battle with ex-wife Hasin Jahan that's dragged from Kolkata courts to the nation's apex judiciary. On April 21, 2025, a bench led by Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah didn't hold back, firing a pointed query at Jahan's counsel: "Isn't Rs 4 lakh enough every month?"—dismissing her demand to hike the Calcutta High Court's July 1, 2025, alimony from Rs 4 lakh (Rs 1.5 lakh for Jahan, Rs 2.5 lakh for their daughter) to a whopping Rs 10 lakh monthly.
This saga, ignited in 2018 by Jahan's bombshell accusations of domestic violence, dowry harassment, and fraud against Shami and his family, has seen the couple—married in 2014 despite Shami's initial family qualms—divorce acrimoniously, leaving their young daughter caught in the crossfire of legal volleys and emotional appeals. The hearing unfolded with the court issuing crisp notices to Shami and the West Bengal government, mandating responses within four weeks to weigh Jahan's plea that the current sum falls short. Jahan's advocates hammered home the disparity, arguing Shami's sworn affidavits reveal a life of opulence that mocks the fixed payout, retroactive for past years but woefully inadequate amid inflation and isolation.

Yet the bench, echoing the High Court's verdict, stressed fairness for both sides, underscoring that no final call comes without hearing Shami's defense—a procedural pivot that could extend this off-field ODI into December 2025 or beyond, testing the cricketer's resilience far from the pitch. Beyond the legalese, this clash spotlights the raw underbelly of fame's fractures while Jahan fights for fiscal dignity post-separation. As notices land and affidavits loom, the case isn't just about money—it's a poignant probe into equity in high-stakes splits, where a cheerleader's dreams collide with a bowler's burdens, urging reforms in maintenance laws to shield the child from the spin of adult animosities.