The Supreme Court has ruled that a widowed daughter-in-law qualifies as a dependant under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956. This recognition allows her to legally seek maintenance from the estate left behind by her deceased father-in-law.
The Supreme Court addressed gender discrimination faced by elected women representatives, particularly regarding the arbitrary removal of a female Sarpanch in rural areas. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted entrenched biases and systemic prejudice against women, calling for urgent reform and emphasizing the need for empowering female leadership in governance.
