JUDGMENT :-

1. This petition has been filed under Section 25 of Guardian & Wards Act, 1890, r/w Order 21 Rule 2 & 3 of Original Side Rules seeking for appointment of the petitioner as the legal guardian of his minor daughter V.Viyona, having born out of his wedlock with Isaivani.

2. The minor child who was born on 05.02.2017. On 17.12.2019, the petitioner’s wife Isaivani committed suicide by hanging herself and died three days later at Kilpauk Medical Hospital, Chennai -10. Ever since the death of Isaivani, the minor child V.Viyona is in the custody of the respondent, who is the petitioner’s mother in law. In such circumstances, this petition has been filed seeking for permanent custody of the minor child V.Viyona.

3. Notice has been duly served on the respondent in O.P.No.290 of 2021 and despite service of notice, the respondent has not entered appearance till date or engaged any counsel to represent her interest.

4. This Court, by way of abundant caution, also directed the learned counsel for the petitioner to serve one more notice on the respondent by its Order dated 02.12.2021.

5. To