The Karnataka High Court has affirmed that an adult unmarried daughter may seek monetary relief under Section 20(d) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, to cover postgraduate studies when her parents’ relationship is strained. The court upheld a lower court directive requiring a father to pay ₹16 lakh for his daughter’s annual fees in a medical postgraduate program.
The bench observed that parental duties to supply basic needs, medical care and schooling do not end when a child reaches adulthood. It described these responsibilities as moral obligations recognised across societies.
Justice H.P. Sandesh dismissed the revision petition of a 53-year-old man from Mangaluru. He had contested orders issued in February and April 2026 by the Judicial Magistrate First Class and the Additional District and Sessions Judge, both directing payment of the course fee.
The court noted that the father had funded his daughter’s MBBS studies while living with the mother. All three now reside in the same building, with the mother and daughter on one floor and the father on another because of marital discord. Financial records showed the man possessed assets valued at ₹1.34 crore and had taken loans of ₹1.27 crore. The daughter had obtained an All India Rank of 11,722 and secured admission at a modest fee rather than the ₹75 lakh management quota rate.
The court rejected the argument that majority status bars claims for maintenance or education costs, stating that such a view would nullify the phrase “in addition to” in Section 20(1)(d). It cited a Supreme Court ruling recognising a daughter’s enforceable right to educational expenses from parents, subject to their financial capacity.
