Father Not Responsible for Child's Care Cannot Be Prosecuted for Cruelty Under Juvenile Justice Act Over Non-Payment of Maintenance: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a father who was working abroad and was accused of abandoning and neglecting his minor son by allegedly failing to provide for his basic needs and maintenance. Justice Jobin Sebastian held that the offence under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 cannot be established merely because the accused is the father of the child…