J U D G M E N T

P.G.Ajithkumar, J.

Father of four children namely, Faiha Faisaludheen, Falsa Faisaludheen, Fisan Bin Faisaludheen, and Fathima Faisaludheern aged 9 years, 5 years, 4 years and 2 ½ years respectively, along with his mother filed O.P.No.913 of 2020 before the Family Court, Kollam for getting custody of the children. Respondent is the mother with whom the children are now residing. I.A.No.1 of 2020 was filed by the father and his mother seeking interim custody of the children. Father is working abroad. That petition was disposed of by the Family Court as per the order dated 30.06.2021 by which arrangements regarding visitation right of the children by the father and grandmother has been made. Mother filed O.P.(FC) No.420 of 2021. She has objection to the order to the extent it allowed internal custody to the paternal grandmother. O.P(FC) No.442 of 2021 was filed by the paternal grandmother contending that custody of the children should have been given to her and the father of the children as requested.

2. After appearance of respondents in the respective original petitions, the parties were referred for mediation but no settlement could be arrived at. On 20.01.2022, this