High Court Orders Software Engineer to Pay Rs 30 Lakh for Son’s Upbringing; Visitation Rights Linked to Payment

The Telangana High Court has ordered a software professional to pay Rs 30 lakh for the upbringing and education of his minor son, as part of a divorce and custody case. Although the court granted the father limited visitation rights to meet his son, these can only be exercised after the entire amount is paid. This ruling comes after the high court reviewed the financial responsibilities borne by the child’s mother since their separation in 2009.

The court noted that the education and living expenses incurred by the mother amounted to Rs 26.41 lakh, which was rounded off to Rs 30 lakh to cover future costs as well. The mother, who has lived separately with her son since his birth, has been solely responsible for his welfare and education, including spending on school and Intermediate-level studies. The father was directed to pay Rs 30 lakh in four installments between August 18 and November 3, 2025.

In addition to the lump sum payment, the court ordered the father to pay monthly maintenance of Rs 20,000 to support his son’s ongoing expenses. While dismissing the father’s divorce petition, originally rejected by the family court in Rangareddy district, the high court also took note of his failure to provide for his wife and son since 2009.

The court stipulated that the father could visit his son for two hours every Sunday, but only after paying the entire sum, with visits to be supervised by an advocate. The advocate’s fee of Rs 30,000 must also be paid by the father. The verdict highlights the importance of financial responsibility in determining parental visitation rights and emphasizes the court’s consideration for the child’s best interests.