Chandigarh, February 27, 2025 – The Punjab and Haryana High Court has strongly criticized a man from Sangrur, Punjab, for challenging a family court’s order directing him to pay ₹5,000 per month as maintenance to his 77-year-old widowed mother. The court labeled it a “classic case of ‘Kalyug’ in action” and imposed a ₹50,000 fine on the petitioner.
Court Denounces Son’s Attempt to Evade Responsibility
The case involved Sikander Singh, who moved the HC against a ruling that required him and his late brother’s widow, Amarjit Kaur, to each pay ₹5,000 to their mother, Surjit Kaur. Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri dismissed his petition, stating that the lower court’s decision was justified and even suggested that the amount granted was on the lower side.
“This classic case has shaken the conscience of this court. There is no illegality in the order passed by the principal judge, family court,” Justice Puri remarked.
Family Dispute Over Maintenance
Surjit Kaur’s husband, Bhag Singh, owned 50 bighas of land before his death in 1993. The land was divided between his sons, Sikander and the family of the late Surinder Singh. Despite inheriting property, Sikander Singh and his brother’s widow allegedly neglected their mother, forcing her to live with her married daughter.
Citing her lack of income, Surjit Kaur filed a petition under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, seeking financial support from Sikander and her deceased son’s widow. The family court ruled in her favor, fixing monthly maintenance at ₹5,000 from each.
Petitioner’s Arguments Rejected
Sikander Singh challenged the decision, arguing that he had already paid his mother ₹1 lakh after his father’s death as a settlement, and she had chosen to live with her daughter. However, the HC rejected this reasoning, emphasizing the continuing duty of children to support their elderly parents.
The court ordered him to pay ₹50,000 as a penalty within three months, reinforcing the principle that elderly parents cannot be abandoned or deprived of financial support.
