Razeena Cassim v. Ahamed Azmi – CALA NO. 05/2011-2011

The case between Razeena Cassim (Applicant-Appellant) and Ahamed Azmi (Respondent-Respondent) addressed the issue of whether a wife is entitled to maintenance under Islamic Law when the husband alleges refusal to live with him on the grounds of constructive desertion. It was held that the wife’s entitlement to maintenance remains where there is insufficient evidence of unjustified refusal or desertion by her and where adverse conduct on the part of the husband is established. The principle was reaffirmed that maintenance cannot be denied in the absence of clear proof of voluntary withdrawal or misconduct by the wife. This decision relied on relevant Islamic Law principles and Sri Lankan judicial precedent, emphasizing the necessity for substantive evidence to defeat a maintenance claim, an