Kanhangad: The Maintenance Tribunal at Kanhangad has ordered the imprisonment of a son who refused to provide financial support for his mother. Tribunal Presiding Officer Binu Joseph directed that Pratheesh of Vadukalakkuzhy, Malappachery, Madikkai, be sent to prison for one month. The sentence will be commuted if Pratheesh pays the amount owed to his mother during this period.

Pratheesh is required to give Rs. 12,000 to his mother, including pending dues. His mother, Chomamkodu Eliyamma Joseph of Kanjirappoyil, had lodged a complaint with the tribunal citing her son’s failure to provide care. Earlier, the tribunal had directed Pratheesh to pay Rs. 2,000 per month. However, Eliyamma approached the tribunal again on August 24, claiming that her son had not complied. Receiving this complaint in its file, the Tribunal  served a notice through the Madikkai village officer, but Pratheesh continued to refuse payment.

Following this, the Tribunal issued a warrant but Pratheesh refused to budge even during its next sitting. During a sitting held on July 31,the Tribunal directed him to pay the first instalment of dues  and warned criminal action in case of non-compliance, though to no avail  

After repeated non-compliance, the tribunal issued a warrant and Pratheesh was arrested by Neeleswaram police and produced in yesterday’s sitting. During the session, he again expressed his unwillingness to pay, prompting the tribunal to order imprisonment until he settles Rs. 12,000, including six months’ dues, or for one month, whichever comes first.