Geeta Sharma vs Kanchana Rai & ors DHC (Mat App (F.C.) 303/2024

This judgement outlines an appeal regarding a widowed daughter-in-law's right to maintenance from her deceased father-in-law's estate under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (HAMA). The appellant, Geeta Sharma, challenged a Family Court's decision that her petition was non-maintainable. The High Court of Delhi examined various sections of HAMA, including Section 19 (Maintenance of widowed daughter-in-law) and Section 21 (Dependants defined), to determine if a widowed daughter-in-law whose father-in-law pre-deceased her husband is entitled to maintenance from the coparcenary property of the father-in-law's estate. The court ultimately set aside the impugned order, directing the Family Court to expeditiously dispose of the application, emphasizing a broad interpretation of HAMA as a social welfare legislation.