ULLEPPA Vs. GANGABAI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONERS are challenging an order passed by the Family Court at Gulbarga in Criminal Misc. NO. 92/2001 dated 11. 11. 2002.

(2.) ONE Gangabai wife of late Siddanna Kamballi, claiming to be the mother of the petitioners filed an application seeking for maintenance from the petitioners under Section 125 of the Cr. P. C. matter was contested. According to the petitioners, respondent is not their mother and that therefore she is not entitled for any maintenance. They have also denied other averments. Learned Trial judge by a detailed order has granted a sum of Rs. 400/- p. m. as maintenance to the respondent herein. This order is challenged in this case. Notice was issued. Respondents have entered appearance.

(3.) LEARNED Counsel for the petitioner argues before me that respondent is not a mother and she is only a step-mother. Therefore she is not eligible for any maintenance in terms of the laws governing maintenance. Learned Counsel for the respondent on the other hand, argues at great length to convince the Court that step-mother is equally entitled for maintenance. She further says that the object of the Act is to help the destitute women and the law can be extended providing maintenance to the respondents.