Haryana, January 7:
In a significant ruling regarding compassionate appointments, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has mandated that a widow who was offered employment after her husband’s death must financially support her mother-in-law. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar stated that while Section 125 of the CrPC does not explicitly require a daughter-in-law to maintain her mother-in-law, exceptions can be made for justice. The court directed the woman to pay ₹10,000 monthly as maintenance.
The Background of the Case
The case originated in 2002 when the petitioner’s husband passed away. In 2005, the woman was offered a position as a junior clerk at the Rail Coach Factory on compassionate grounds. However, after securing the job, the woman left her marital home with her son, leaving her mother-in-law behind.
The mother-in-law, struggling financially, approached the family court for assistance. She explained that her other children could not provide adequate support—her daughter was married, and her son, a rickshaw puller, spent most of his earnings on medical expenses for his ill sibling. She sought maintenance from her daughter-in-law to sustain herself.
The Court’s Decision
In its 2024 judgment, the court ruled in favor of the mother-in-law. During the hearing, the daughter-in-law argued that her husband’s other family members should share the responsibility. However, the court highlighted that when the woman accepted the job in 2005, she had agreed to take care of her deceased husband’s family. By leaving her marital home, she had violated this commitment.
Justice Brar emphasized that the purpose of Section 125 of the CrPC is to ensure financial support for those in need. The court noted that the woman earns approximately ₹80,000 per month, making her financially capable of providing ₹10,000 monthly to her mother-in-law.
This ruling underscores the broader responsibilities attached to compassionate employment and sets a precedent for similar cases.
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