Question

Which provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, provides a summary legal remedy for the maintenance of spouses, children, and parents who are unable to support themselves?

• A. Section 125
• B. Section 320
• C. Section 107
• D. Section 144

Hint:

Section 125 CrPC is one of the most frequently cited provisions in family law matters within criminal proceedings—always associate it with "summary remedy for maintenance."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

1. Section 144: Used for urgent preventive orders, such as banning gatherings or imposing restrictions during unrest. It has no link to family maintenance, so this is ruled out.
2. Section 107: Concerns binding a person down to keep the peace when a breach of peace is feared. Again, this is about public order, not support for a spouse, child, or parent.
3. Section 320: Lists offences that may be compounded, allowing parties to settle a criminal case. This is a closure mechanism for criminal trials, unrelated to maintenance payments.
4. Section 125: This is the provision that lets a wife, children, or parents who cannot support themselves approach a Magistrate for a maintenance order. It is intentionally kept simple and fast so dependents get relief without waiting years for a civil decree, and it applies regardless of the parties' religion.

Working through the options this way confirms that Section 125 is the provision being asked about.

Answer 2

Before matching a section number, it helps to recall why the CrPC includes a maintenance chapter at all: the drafters wanted a fast, inexpensive route for dependents to get support, without forcing them into a lengthy civil suit. Keeping that purpose in mind, look at what each option actually does.

1. Section 125: This is the chapter built for exactly that purpose. A Magistrate can direct a person to pay a monthly allowance to a wife, child, or parent unable to maintain themselves, and the procedure is deliberately summary so relief arrives quickly.
2. Section 320: A different tool altogether, this lets certain criminal offences be compounded or settled between the parties, ending the prosecution. It plays no role in ordering financial support.
3. Section 107: This addresses keeping public peace by requiring a bond from someone likely to breach it, a preventive and public-order function with no connection to family support.
4. Section 144: A tool for urgent situations, such as danger to life or public tranquility, giving a Magistrate power to issue immediate prohibitory orders. It is unrelated to maintenance claims.

Since none of the other sections touch on support obligations between family members, the provision fitting the description is Section 125.

Therefore, the correct answer is Section 125.