Goa, Nov. 8 -- The Kerala High Court has ruled that a Christian unmarried daughter cannot claim maintenance from her father, citing the absence of such a provision in Christian personal laws - unlike the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) and Muslim personal laws.

The verdict was delivered by Justice Dr Kauser Edappagath while hearing a plea filed by a 65-year-old Christian man who had challenged a family court order directing him to pay Rs.20,000 per month to his wife and Rs.10,000 to his 27-year-old unmarried daughter.

The petitioner contended that his daughter was a major when the petition was filed and thus not legally entitled to maintenance. He also argued that his wife had "deserted him" and was capable of supporting herse...