Allahabad High Court denies step‑son maintenance claim after mother receives support from biological son

On July 15, the Allahabad High Court held that a mother who is already receiving maintenance (gujara bhatta) from her biological son cannot later claim maintenance from her step‑son. Justice Laxmi Kant Shukla said that receiving support from the biological son demonstrates the mother is not unable to maintain herself, making her ineligible for additional claims.

The court dismissed the woman's criminal revision petition that sought to modify a family‑court order directing the biological son to pay ₹8,000 per month. While the court noted it could apportion maintenance among multiple liable persons in other cases, it found no legal basis to impose the same duty on the step‑son while the biological son is already fulfilling the obligation.