The Karnataka High Court ruled that a second wife and daughter dependent on a deceased accident victim cannot be denied compensation. The Court held that dependency, not a narrow definition of legal heirs, determines entitlement under the Motor Vehicles Act and enhanced compensation by Rs 15 lakh.
Justice BV Nagarathna on wednesday (10th July) emphasized financial empowerment for homemakers in India, highlighting their vulnerability and dependence on husbands. She urged husbands to recognize their wives’ needs and allocate funds for personal expenses. The Supreme Court upheld a divorced Muslim woman’s right to claim maintenance under Section 125 CrPC, setting a precedent for financial support in such cases.
