P&H HC - Children of a widow are also entitled to maintenance from in-laws

Case: Hari Ram Hans v. Deepali & Ors

According to the Punjab & Haryana High Court, the word "widow" in the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA), 1956 also includes the mother's children who live with her.

In a revision petition, the court addressed a family court order that directed a widow's father-in-law to pay 2,000 a year in maintenance to her three grandchildren until the case was resolved.

Justice Anil Kshetarpal refused to interfere with the family court's order, saying,
The 1956 Act was enacted to protect the destitute daughter-in-law who became a widow because of unfortunate circumstances. The term "widow" includes any minor grandchildren living at home.

Advocate Abhimanyu Singh, appearing for the petitioner's father-in-law, contended that the HAMA allows the widow's daughter-in-law to apply for maintenance after the death of her husband from her in-laws. However, there are no provisions for the father-in-law to pay maintenance to the grandchildren

The court dismissed the revision petition after finding that the grandchildren were entitled to maintenance.