Section 52: Power of Court to order parent, etc, to contribute to maintenance

(1) Where a child is committed-
(a) to the care of an individual under this Act; or
(b) in exceptional circumstance, to an approved institution or any other institution,
and the Court is satisfied that the need for the order arose from the neglect on the part of any of the reasons named in subsections (2) of this section, the Court may order that person to make such contribution towards the maintenance of the child as it may think fit, having regard to all the circumstances of the case including the means of the person ordered to make the contribution.
(2) The persons referred to in subsection (1) of this section are-
(a) the father, step-father, mother or step-mother of the child; or
(b) a person who is co-habiting with the mother or step-mother of the child, whether or not tie is the putative father of the child; or
(c) the person in whose care and custody the child has been during the two years immediately preceding the date of the order or committal.
(3) The Court shall order the contribution of such amount per week, per month or per each such period as it deems proper having regard to the means and earning capacity of the person ordered to make the contribution and other relevant circumstances.
(4) If a person fails or neglects to comply with an order made under subsection (1) of this section, the Court may for every breach of the order direct the amount due to be levied in the manner by law provided for levying distress in the enforcement of damages or other awards ordered by a court in a civil proceeding.
(5) The Court which has the jurisdiction over the person or persons liable to make contribution may, at any time, on the application of the person or persons or on the application of an officer of appropriate authority or other authorized officer, and on proof of a change of circumstances in the person or persons so required to make the contribute increase or reduce the contribution or rescind any order as the Court may deem just.