An adult child is entitled to alimony until he becomes financially self-dependent: High Court

New Delhi, 01 August (HS). The Delhi High Court has said that an adult child is also entitled to alimony as long as he is studying and becomes financially independent. A bench headed by Justice Rajiv Shakdhar gave this order.

The court said that under section 26 of the Hindu Marriage Act, an adult child is also entitled to receive maintenance allowance until he completes his studies and becomes financially independent. The court said that the objective of section 26 is to provide education to children. The court said that just because a child turns 18 does not mean that his studies are complete. In today's competitive era, only the education obtained after 18 years gives a child a chance for better employment.

Actually, in the ongoing family dispute between husband and wife, both had challenged the decision of the trial court in the High Court. The family court had ordered that the husband pay compensation of Rs 1 lakh 15 thousand every month to his wife and child. The family court had directed the husband to give Rs 35 thousand every month to his son till the age of 26. The High Court said that the husband hid his income and in such a situation it is right for the wife to demand Rs 1 lakh 45 thousand every month because the wife is unemployed. The High Court ordered the husband to pay Rs 1 lakh 45 thousand per month.