IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 03.02.2026 SURJIT CHAUDHARY …. Appellant Versus SHIVANI KUMARI …. Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE GURVINDER SINGH GILL HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE RAMESH KUMARI Present : Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Advocate for the appellant.

Mr. Ashish Kumar, Advocate for the respondent.

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RAMESH KUMARI,J.

1. By way of filing the present appeal, the appellant-husband has challenged the impugned order dated 16.12.2025 vide which the custody of minor son has been handed over to the respondent-mother as an interim arrangement during the pendency of petition under Sections 7, 10 and 25 of Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 read with Section 6 of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956.

2. Mr. Ashish Kumar, Advocate appeared and has filed his Power of Attorney on behalf of the respondent-wife.

3. Learned counsel for the appellant-husband contended that the learned trial Court wrongly handed over the interim custody of the minor child to the respondent-wife. The respondent-wife is habitual of consuming white chalk and mud etc. and also habitual of stealing gold and silver ornaments as well as the cash amount. On 23.06.2025, she was seen stealin