Daughter-in-Law Cannot be Forced to Maintain In-Laws Under Law: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court recently held that a daughter-in-law is not legally required to maintain her parents-in-law under Section 125 CrPC (now Section 144 BNSS).

The Court explained that maintenance is a statutory right, and only those categories specifically mentioned in the law, ike wife, children, and parents, can claim it. Since parents-in-law are not included, no legal duty can be imposed on the daughter-in-law.

The Court also made an important point: a moral responsibility cannot be enforced as a legal obligation.

It dismissed the plea filed by an elderly couple seeking maintenance from their daughter-in-law.

[Rakesh Kumar & Anr. v. State of U.P. & Anr.]