Punjab and Haryana High Court: Father not absolved from providing maintenance for child even if mother is working

The Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case X v Y observed that even if mother is working and is earning sufficiently, it would not automatically mean that the father is absolved of his responsibility in order to provide sustenance for his children.

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The High Court in the case emphasized that the father is legally bound to maintain his child as per his lifestyle and status.

The single judge bench of Justice Sumeet Goel in its order stated that section 125 of Code of Criminal Procedure, CrPC is a tool for social justice enacted to ensure that women and children are protected from a life of potential vagrancy and destitution. If the husband or father has sufficient means, he is obligated to maintain his wife and children, and cannot shirk away from moral and familial responsibilities.

Adding to it, the court stated that in households wherein the women are working and are earning sufficiently to maintain themselves, it does not automatically mean that the husband or father is absolved of his responsibility to provide sustenance for his children.