Allahabad High Court Rules Hindu Father Must Support Daughter Until Marriage

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court ruled that a Hindu father must bear his daughter’s expenses until she marries. Justice Manish Kumar Nigam dismissed a petition challenging this obligation, citing a Supreme Court ruling and classical Hindu law principles.

Court Ruling and Case Background

The court referred to a Supreme Court case that upheld the classical Hindu law, which holds a Hindu man morally responsible for maintaining his elderly parents, wife, and children. The decision challenged the Hathras Family Court’s ruling on a maintenance case involving Awadhesh Singh and his estranged wife, Urmila Devi.

In 2009, Urmila Devi had filed for maintenance after claiming mistreatment from Awadhesh and his family. The Hathras Family Court ordered Rs 25,000 per month for Urmila and Rs 20,000 for their daughter, Gauri Nandini.

In 2023, Awadhesh Singh petitioned the Allahabad High Court, arguing that he should no longer be responsible for his daughter’s maintenance now that she is 18. He also cited Section 125 CrPC and requested a revision of the maintenance amount.

The Allahabad High Court rejected his petition, emphasizing that under Section 20 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, an unmarried daughter is entitled to maintenance until marriage. The court affirmed that Hindu law historically obligates a father to maintain his unmarried daughter, reinforcing the statutory requirements of the 1956 Act.

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