A single bench of Kerala High Court on Friday said that children are bound ensure the welfare of the man who lived with their mother even if he is not their biological father.
Justice A Muhamed Mustaque said in an order that though the children not bound to give maintenance to the person, they are supposed to ensure the welfare on the basis of the relationship, The Times of India reports.
The court was considering the petition filed by Riju Rajilal of Thiruvananthapuram against a tribunal’s decision to give maintenance to his mother’s live-in partner.
Sasidharan, 72, who was living with the petitioner's mother, had claimed in the court that he had spent a good amount of his earnings to raise the petitioner even though he was not his son. Riju opposed the claim and said that Sasidharan now has another wife and son, and it is that son who has rights to Sasidharan’s property since he is the biological son, so he is the one who is supposed to give maintenance. The tribunal had earlier declined Riju’s plea and ordered him to pay maintenance.
As per the ToI report the high court said that tribunal's order was not to pay maintenance but to provide for Sasidharan's welfare.