Protection of right to live with dignity under article 21

The right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India encompasses the right to livelihood, basic sustenance, and living with human dignity. Denying maintenance to a widowed daughter-in-law from the estate of her deceased father-in-law through a narrow or hyper-technical construction of statutory definitions exposes her to destitution and social marginalization. Such exposure directly infringes upon her fundamental right to lead a dignified life free from forced deprivation. Courts are duty-bound to interpret social welfare legislation purposively and in complete alignment with constitutional guarantees to advance social justice. Statutory enactments providing for maintenance must be construed liberally to protect vulnerable dependants rather than defeat their legitimate claims to basic sustenance. A human-rights-oriented interpretation ensures that female dependants are not left without financial protection following the demise of their primary earning family members. Therefore, reading Section 21(vii) to include all widowed daughters-in-law upholds constitutional values and secures the right to live with dignity. (Kanchana Rai v. Geeta Sharma & Ors. | 2026 INSC 54)