Calcutta HC affirms maintenance for disabled adult child despite majority, ITI completion

The Calcutta High Court has upheld maintenance proceedings for a physically disabled adult child, rejecting the father's argument that the son's attainment of majority and completion of an ITI course rendered him self-sufficient.

Justice Uday Kumar held that completion of an ITI course or ability to move independently does not establish financial self-sufficiency for a person with 70 per cent physical disability. The court affirmed the trial court's interpretation of statutory safeguards protecting physically handicapped adult dependents.

The case originated in 2005 when the mother sought maintenance under Section 125 CrPC. Though the 2012 trial order rejected her claim for herself, it awarded ₹3,000 monthly for the minor disabled son. After the son attained majority, the mother filed under Section 127 CrPC seeking continuation of maintenance, which the husband challenged. The court dismissed his objections.