Major daughter can't claim maintenance money from father: High court makes a rare remark

KOCHI: The high court said an unmarried major girl can't ask for alimony or maintenance help from her father even if facing distress in life. Justice A Badaruddhin cleared that such an offering of alimony can only be considered legal if the daughter is deteriorating physically or mentally. The high court annulled the former family court verdict after considering a petition from a Trivandrum native against his wife and daughter.

The family court made the verdict in 2016 which says the complainant should give Rs 10000 to his wife and Rs 8000 to his daughter as alimony every month. The high court maintained intact the alimony to the wife but annulled the decision when it came to the daughter. According to the Hindu adoption and maintenance act, a Hindu daughter can claim alimony from the father until her marriage. But the daughter should produce an affidavit showing she is physically or mentally challenged to avail the benefit. The complainant has informed the court that his daughter turned a major in 2017.