Kerala HC: Son Must Maintain Mother Even if Husband Supports Her; Upholds Rs 5,000 Order

• Kerala High Court reaffirmed children's legal and moral obligation to maintain aged parents.
• Court dismissed a Gulf-based man's petition challenging a Family Court order to pay Rs 5,000 monthly maintenance to his mother.
• The HC ruled a mother can claim maintenance from her son even if her husband provides support, citing Section 144(1)(d) BNSS.
• The son's marital obligations or claims about the mother's income do not absolve his statutory duty to support her if she needs it.
• Non-compliance with the maintenance order can lead to penal consequences, including imprisonment, despite the proceedings being civil in nature.

Why It Matters: Children have a statutory duty to maintain aged parents, irrespective of the other parent's support.