Daughter-in-law not legally obligated to support parents-in-law: Allahabad High Court
30 Mar 2026

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a daughter-in-law is not legally bound to provide maintenance to her parents-in-law.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Madan Pal Singh in a case where an elderly couple sought maintenance from their daughter-in-law after their son's death.

The court examined Section 144 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which specifies dependents entitled to maintenance, and concluded that parents-in-law are not included.

Allahabad HC dismissed revision petition
Case dismissal

The court dismissed a revision petition filed by an elderly couple against their daughter-in-law.

The couple had challenged an August 2025 order of a family court in Agra, which rejected their plea for maintenance under Section 144 of the BNSS.

They argued that they were old, uneducated, and financially dependent on their deceased son, who was a constable in the Uttar Pradesh Police.

No evidence of daughter-in-law's compassionate appointment
Decision upheld

The couple contended that their daughter-in-law, also a constable, had a stable income and received service-related benefits after her husband's death.

They argued she had a moral duty to support them.

However, the court upheld the family court's decision, stating there was no evidence that the daughter-in-law got her job on compassionate grounds after her husband's demise.

What court said
Legal reinforcement

The court ruled that a moral obligation, no matter how strong it appears, cannot be enforced as a legal requirement in the absence of a statutory mandate.

"The legislature, in its wisdom, has not included parents-in-law within the ambit of the said provision. In other words, it is not the scheme of the legislature to fasten liability of maintenance upon a daughter-in-law towards her parents-in-law under the said provision," the court said.