Dad can’t refuse to pay school fees: HC

Observing that a father does no charity or favour by paying school fees of his child, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on a man, who refused to admit his minor son in a new school. The man opposed his son’s admission in the new school that was located in his now estranged wife’s vicinity.

A Division Bench of Justice Rajendra Savant and Justice Sadhana Jadhav heard an application moved by the child’s mother who had sought directions specific directions to her husband.

According to the wife, her son lives with her in Kandivali since her divorce with her husband. She informed the judges that her son has to take a hectic and overcrowded bus ride to his school from Kandivali to Santa Cruz (east). She said, “My child has to travel for more than four hours on a daily basis. Keeping his welfare in mind, I got him admitted in a school that is five minutes away from my house, still his father is opposing it. He has refused to sign the leaving certificate of the old school.”

Justice Savant said, “A school nearby is most preferable for a child as a minor is not required to travel so much. We hope wisdom would prevail on the father or else we know how to make him sign.”

“Disputes between the husband and wife should not affect the development and welfare of the child. We expect the father to sign the documents before the next date of hearing,” Justice Savant added. Meanwhile, the counsel appearing for the father submitted that his client has opposed the new admission as he has been paying the fees.