$~97 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010398102026 + CRL.REV.P.(MAT.) 486/2026 & CRL.M.A. 26131/2026 PANKAJ CHHOKAR .....Petitioner Through: Ms. Aditi Singh and Mr. Santosh Kumar, Advs. versus KANIKA .....Respondent Through: None. CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV O R D E R % 24.08.2026 CRL.M.A. 26132/2026 (delay) 1. For the reasons stated in the application, the same is allowed and the delay of 16 days in filing the instant petition stands condoned. 2. Application stands disposed of. CRL.REV.P.(MAT.) 486/2026 & CRL.M.A. 26131/2026 1. The instant petition has been filed for the following reliefs: “(a) Set aside the impugned order dated 21.04.2026 passed by the Learned Principal Judge, Family Court, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi in Maintenance Petition No.84/2025, whereby the Petitioner has been directed to pay ad-interim maintenance of Rs. 6,000/- per month and litigation expenses of Rs. 11,000/- to the Respondent; (b) Hold that the direction to pay ad-interim maintenance is unsustainable in view of the fact that the Petitioner is presently unemployed, has no independent source of income, and is not in a financial position to comply This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 29/08/2026 at 15:18:04 with the impugned order; {c) Pass any order or orders as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of this case.” 2. The petitioner seeks to challenge the impugned order dated 21.04.2026 on the ground that the petitioner is not earning anything and is preparing for the UPSC examination. 3. The Court, however, finds that the impugned order is ad interim in nature. Even the application seeking interim maintenance is pending before the concerned Court. 4. Bearing in mind the overall facts and circumstances, and the fact that the amount of Rs.6,000/- has been directed towards ad interim maintenance and Rs.11,000/ as litigation expenses, the same does not seem to be exorbitant or otherwise impermissible in law. 5. Accordingly, the petition fails and is hereby dismissed. 6. All rights and contentions of the parties are left open. 7. The concerned Court shall look into the submissions made by the petitioner at the time of passing of the order on the interim maintenance application. 8. The pending application also stands disposed of. PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J AUGUST 24, 2026/P This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 29/08/2026 at 15:18:04