Adult Unmarried Daughter Can Seek Education Funds from Father Under DV Act: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has ruled that an adult unmarried daughter can claim financial support for her education from her father under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. This landmark decision clarifies that the law's provisions extend beyond married women to include unmarried adult daughters who are victims of domestic violence, including economic abuse such as denial of financial resources for education. The court made the observation while hearing a case where a woman sought educational expenses from her father. The bench emphasized that the father's obligation to maintain his daughter does not end when she turns 18, especially if she is still studying and unmarried. The judgment noted that denying financial support for education can amount to economic abuse, which is covered under the Domestic Violence Act. Legal experts say this ruling could help many young women who face financial hardship due to familial neglect. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, enacted in 2005, aims to protect women from various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, and economic. This judgment broadens the interpretation of economic abuse to include denial of education-related expenses. The case has been sent back to the trial court to decide the quantum of maintenance. The high court's decision sets a precedent that may influence similar cases across the country.