The court’s observations came after one Balwinder Singh challenged the magistrate’s order on the ground that his daughter had attained legal adulthood and hence, was not eligible to seek maintenance.

The court, however, turned down the plea, noting that Singh’s daughter not be denied maintenance till she becomes financially independent, in accordance with the protection of women under the Domestic Violence Act. It also ruled that there existed no age bar for the court to grant interim maintenance to the daughter.

“Nowadays, the fees of a public school or that of a private institution for pursuing a professional course after Class 12, is known to be exorbitant. Therefore, it cannot be presumed that the daughter would be able to maintain herself,” the court said.