In a striking order, the Allahabad High Court partly allowed Abhishek Yadav’s revision plea, challenging a Bareilly Family Court’s decision that had directed him to pay ₹9,000 per month as maintenance to his wife and daughter.
The twist in the case was unusual: Yadav was only 16 years old when his wife first approached the court under Section 125 CrPC back in 2019. His counsel argued that no such claim could be pressed against a minor boy, who himself had no earnings and was fully dependent on his parents.
The Court, after carefully examining his school records, agreed that before turning 18, he was not bound to maintain anyone. But Justice Madan Pal Singh underlined that the moment he became an adult in January 2021, the responsibility to support his legally wedded wife and minor daughter arose in full force.
Taking a practical view of his potential earnings, the Court assessed his monthly income at ₹18,000 and fixed the maintenance at 25% of that - reducing the earlier figure to ₹2,500 for the wife and ₹2,000 for the daughter, effective from the date he turned major.
With that, the November 2023 Family Court order was modified, and the criminal revision was partly allowed.
Case: Abhishek Yadav v. State of UP & Others
Criminal Revision No. 55 of 2024
Order date: 25 Sept 2025
