Rights of Widowed Daughters-in-Law under HAMA, 1956

On 13th January 2026, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment recognising the right of a widowed daughter-in-law to claim maintenance from the estate of her deceased father-in-law under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA), 1956.

  • The ruling arose from civil appeals challenging a Delhi High Court decision which had held that a maintenance petition filed by a widowed daughter-in-law was maintainable and had directed the Family Court to decide the matter on merits.

What did the SC say?

Interpretation of “Widow of His Son”

  • Section 21(vii) of HAMA is clear and unambiguous.
  • The legislature consciously used the phrase “any ....
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