Kerala High Court|Friday, 20 February 2026
Kerala HC Upholds Maintenance Order Against I.K. Shaji in Family Dispute Case
Bench
NN
Justice N. Nagaresh
N. Nagaresh
Kerala HC Upholds Maintenance Order Against I.K. Shaji in Family Dispute Case (2026) held that The court upheld the Maintenance Tribunal's order, confirming that individuals appointed under the Dying-in-harness Scheme have a responsibility to maintain their deceased spouse's parents.
I.K. Shaji, who secured a government job under the Dying-in-harness Scheme after his wife's death, was ordered by the Maintenance Tribunal to pay ₹7,000 per month to his in-laws, Choikutty and Devi, for their maintenance. Shaji challenged this order, arguing he was not liable under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The High Court dismissed his writ petition, affirming the Tribunal's decision and emphasizing the obligation to maintain parents. The court also dismissed Shaji's review petition, finding no merit in his claims.
The court upheld the Maintenance Tribunal's order, confirming that individuals appointed under the Dying-in-harness Scheme have a responsibility to maintain their deceased spouse's parents.
The court clarified that financial constraints do not absolve the petitioner of his duty to provide maintenance to his in-laws.
The court found that the petitioner had previously agreed to the maintenance amount, which undermined his later claims of inability to pay.
Maintenance Tribunal ordered petitioner to pay ₹7,000 to in-laws
Writ Petition (C) No. 42949/2024 filed by I.K. Shaji
Join 50,000+ legal professionals
Judgment delivered in W.P.(C) No. 24233/2025 directing District Collector to consider representation
Hearing of W.P.(C) No. 42949/2024 and R.P. No. 1157/2025
Final judgment delivered dismissing both W.P.(C) and R.P.
