High Court Upholds Maintenance Rights for Widowed Daughters-in-Law

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday affirmed the right of a widowed daughter-in-law to seek maintenance from her deceased father-in-law's coparcenary property. This landmark judgment under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) underscores the legal obligation of maintaining family welfare.

A bench comprising Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar clarified that this obligation arises solely from ancestral property. Consequently, if a father-in-law holds significant self-acquired assets but lacks coparcenary property, the daughter-in-law, unfortunately, has no enforceable right to maintenance.

The court's interpretation of Section 19 and 21 of HAMA aims to harmonize Hindu societal norms with equity principles, ensuring the Act serves as a social welfare measure. The case originated from an appeal challenging the dismissal of a widow's maintenance claim, providing a legal precedent in similar disputes.

(With inputs from agencies.)