Karnataka High Court Orders Businessman to Pay Rs 16 Lakh for Daughter's College Fees

The Karnataka High Court in Bengaluru has ruled that a father is legally obligated to fund his adult, unmarried daughter's higher education, dismissing a petition by a Mangaluru-based businessman who challenged previous court orders directing him to pay Rs 16 lakh for her post-graduate college fees. Justice H P Sandesh passed the order, upholding decisions made by lower courts.

The ruling dismissed a criminal revision petition filed by the father, a businessman residing in Mangaluru. He had challenged an April 28, 2026, order by a sessions court, which had confirmed a February 3, 2026, order by a magistrate court. The magistrate court had directed him to pay Rs 16 lakh towards his daughter's college fees for pursuing an MD in Dermatology at a college in Mangaluru.

The father had argued that he was not liable for any educational expenses after his daughter disowned him upon reaching adulthood.

However, Justice Sandesh noted that the daughter was admitted to her MBBS course with the consent of both parents, and the father was actively involved in her admission. The court stated that because of this, the father cannot now claim he is unable to pay for her post-graduation.

The court also highlighted the father's financial capacity, noting that he handles business transactions worth more than Rs 1 crore. The court observed that he has the means to secure a loan and clear it through his business to fund the fees.

The daughter had secured her post-graduate admission through NEET at a college in Mangaluru. She filed an application before a magistrate seeking a direction for her father to pay the Rs 16 lakh fee.

The magistrate had allowed the application under Section 20(d) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, after considering the father's financial status. The father challenged this before the sessions court, which rejected his appeal, prompting him to move the High Court.

Addressing whether an unmarried major daughter can invoke Section 20 of the Act for monetary relief to pursue post-graduation, the High Court clarified that the section provides for monetary relief in addition to maintenance. The court ruled that a father is obligated to meet his daughter's educational expenses, whether for under-graduation or post-graduation.

The parents were living together when the daughter began her MBBS, but a matrimonial dispute arose between them during her graduation.