At a glance
BNSS section 144 provides a maintenance route for the categories of wife, child and parent it specifies, where its conditions are satisfied.
General legal-awareness information for Jammu & Kashmir. Applicability, forum and any time limit depend on the governing law and the complete facts. Prepared 2026-10-24. Personal-law routes differ and must be identified first.
Law and context
The section addresses inability to maintain oneself, neglect or refusal and the respondent’s sufficient means within the statutory framework. Sections 145–147 address procedure, alteration and enforcement. Eligibility differs between categories, so relationship alone does not answer every question.
Practical next step
Identify the applicant’s statutory category, needs, the respondent’s available financial information and payments already received. Preserve any earlier maintenance order and its enforcement history.
Important qualifications
Saved older proceedings may continue under the CrPC. The applicable procedural regime and current judicial interpretation must be checked for the actual case.
Document checklist
- Relationship evidence
- Needs and income record
- Existing maintenance orders
- Payment and default chronology
Sources
General information. The appropriate course depends on the complete facts, documents and applicable law. Editorial process and website disclaimer.