DEAR LEARNED ADVOCATES
MY DAUGHTER WAS SUBJECTED TO MENTAL AGONY, HARASSMENT AND CRUELTY BY HER IN LAWS AND NOW SHE IS STAYING WITH US AFTER DELIVERY OF A CHILD FOR LAST ONE YEAR. HER PLEA FOR MAINTENACE IS WITH FAMILY COURT WHERE THE MATTER IS PENDING. HER HUSBAND HAS REFUSED TO GIVE ANY MAINTENANCE ON THE GROUND THAT HER FATHER (ME) IS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE NEW BORN CHILD AS WELL AS MY DAUGHTER. I AM A RETIRED PERSON AND HAS SAVINGS JUST ADEQUATE TO TAKE ME AND MY WIFE THROUGH OUR OLD AGE YEARS. MY QUESTION IS: CAN A HUSBAND REFUSE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FOR HIS WIFE AND HIS CHILD ON THE GROUND THAT HER FATHER IS ABLE TO FOOT THE BILLS OF BOTH OF THEM ? CAN HE ALSO REFUSE TO PAY ANY INTERIM MAINTENACE ON SUCH GROUNDS ? KINDLY ADVISE ME IN THE MATTER. I AN READY TO PAY REASONABLE FEE TO THE LAWYER FOR GUIDING US THROUGH THIS PROBLEM. THE CASE IS FILED IN MUMBAI FAMILY COURT.