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2023 Supreme(P&H) 1409

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
Sureshwar Thakur, J.
Manisha Maheshwari – Appellant
Versus
State of Haryana & Ors. – Respondents
CRWP No. 822 of 2021
Decided On : 11-04-2023

Advocates appeared:
For the Parties : Mr. Bawa Karanveer, Mr. Karunesh Kaushal, Mr. Pradeep Parkash Chahar DAG, Haryana, Mr. P.S. Jammu, Mr. Jannat Duhan DAG, Haryana, Mr. Sartaj Singh Narula DAG, Haryana

Headnote:(A) Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 - Section 31 - Custody of minor child - The petitioner, the biological mother, contested the interim custody of her child held by co-respondents, who were entrusted custody by a third party. Children's welfare, expressed wishes, and evidence of care were paramount. The court found no abuse of custody and emphasized that the child's happiness and care should guide custody decisions. (Paras 9-15)

(B) Custody Determination - The court ruled that biological parents cannot be deprived of custody unless proof of abandonment or the child's expressed wish to stay with others exists. (Paras 13-16)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner surrendered custody of her minor child, claiming the signature on a document transferring custody to co-respondent No. 4 was forged. The court, upon interacting with the child, noted his contentment with co-respondents No. 5 and 6, leading to interim custody being granted to them. (Paras 1-3)

Findings of Court:
The minor child is in good care with co-respondents, and his expressed desire to remain with them as well as the welfare recommendations supported the interim custody. (Paras 9-11)

Issues: Whether the biological mother's custody claim takes precedence over interim custody holders and the validity of the surrender document. (Paras 12-14)

Ratio Decidendi: The court affirmed that child welfare is paramount, and evidence of adequate care and the child's expressed wishes overrode the biological mother’s claim for custody. (Paras 15-16)

Result: The court confirmed interim custody with co-respondents No. 5 and 6.

Table of Content
1. custody transfer due to mother's marriage. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4)
2. court's intervention for child's recovery. (Para 5 , 6)
3. child's well-being as paramount in custody. (Para 7 , 8)
4. importance of child welfare committee report. (Para 9 , 10)
5. petitioner's claims against child custody. (Para 11 , 12)
6. balance of child welfare versus parental rights. (Para 13 , 14 , 15 , 16)
7. final custody decision pending further review. (Para 17 , 18 , 19)

Judgment

Mr. Sureshwar Thakur, J. :-

Factual Background

1. The petitioner is the biological mother of the minor child Santosh @ Archit. Undisputedly, at the instant moment, the above minor child is in the custody of co-respondents No. 5 and 6, who became impleaded, as such, through an order made by this Court, on 22.02.2021, upon, CRM-W-140-2021.

2. The facts necessary which relate(s) to the assumption(s) of custody of the minor child Santosh @ Archit are that, co-respondents No. 5 and 6 assumed the custody of the above minor child, on May/June,2018 from one Anupam Muni, who is arrayed as co-respondent No. 4. The petitioner was at the relevant stage a disciple of co-respondent No. 4, and, since she had divorced her previous husband, therefore, co-respondent No. 4 persuaded her to marry his disciple Jagdish. The said marriage was solemnized on 10.02.2018. At the time of the petitioner solemnizing second marriage with Jagdish Rai, thus, she through Annexure R-4/1, handed over the custody of her minor child, to co-respondent No. 4. Annexure R-4/1 is claimed by co-respondent No. 4 to be signatured by the present petitioner. However, in the rejoinder filed by the petitioner to the reply of co-respondent No. 4, she submits that the said document is a false, and a forged document. She further denies the contents of Annexure R-4/1 being written by her or the same being signed by her. However, the said denial is left open to be made before the learned civil Court concerned, whereto, the parties have been relegated to make a recourse rather for claiming the ultimate/final custody of the minor child. The contents of Annexure R-4/1 are extracted hereinafter.

“I, Manisha, am resident of Nepal. Gurdev Sh. Anupam Muni, got my marriage held with Jagga Jagdish resident of Kalanwali. Due to this happiness, I give my son, Santosh to Gurdev Shri Anupam Muni and I am doing this work without any pressure. Now, I have no responsibility on it. Now, I have no right on him. Gurudev Shri Anupam Muni Ji is the owner of the same and after making him his disciple (son) and by bringing up him and by giving Dharam Sanskar to him, he will make him Jain Sant. Sd/- Manisha

Sd/- Anupam Muni.

3. Moreover, further the delivery of interim custody to co-respondents No. 5 and 6, has been granted by this Court, but after interacting with the minor child, and, thereby this Court concluding that the minor child is happy to reside in the company of co-respondents No. 5 and 6.

4. Co-respondents No. 5 and 6 plead, that since they were also disciples of co-respondent No. 4, and, since the present petitioner, had surrendered the minor child to co-respondent No. 4, through Annexure R-4/1. Thus, when there was none to take care of the minor child besides when the health of the minor child was frail. Resultantly co-respondent No. 4 entrusted the custody of the minor child to them in about May/June, 2018. They further plead that since then the minor child is being given the best care by them. Even the best medical care, is pleaded to be provided to the minor child, but as revealed by Annexure A-2, Annexure whereof becomes appended with their impleadment application. Moreover, Annexures R-5/3 and R-5/4, as appended with their reply, do suggest, that the said child has been admitted by them in Mango Blossoms Kids School, Begu Road, Sirsa, Haryana.

4. Co-respondent No. 4 also furnished his reply to the petition and though in the preliminary objections, he had claimed that the petition is mis-constituted and requires dismissal. Moreo

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