Gujarat High Court Stays Conciliation Officer’s Notice in Parents’ Maintenance Case

The Gujarat High Court has stayed a notice issued by a conciliation officer to a chartered accountant in a maintenance claim filed by his parents, holding that the officer lacked jurisdiction under the law.

The parents had approached the authorities under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, after which the matter was transferred to a conciliation officer who issued the notice.

The petitioner argued that only a duly constituted maintenance tribunal, presided over by an officer of the prescribed rank, could issue such directions.

Accepting the prima facie contention, the Court granted an interim stay on the notice and sought a response from the conciliation officer.