Supreme Court Docket: From Child's Rights in International Custody to Fair Exams and Sports Governance

New Delhi – In a series of significant proceedings, the Supreme Court of India has recently adjudicated on a wide spectrum of issues, underscoring its role in shaping public policy, safeguarding individual rights, and ensuring institutional integrity. The Court's docket has spanned from the deeply personal realm of family law in an international custody dispute to the public interest concerns of national recruitment examinations and the complex governance of Indian football. These cases highlight the judiciary's expansive oversight and its intervention in matters of national importance.

Upholding a Child's Right to Both Parents in Transnational Custody Battle

In a poignant ruling with significant implications for family law, a Division Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta reinforced the fundamental principle that "every child has a right to the affection of both parents." The Court intervened in a protracted and bitter dispute between estranged parents, allowing a father to interact via video conferencing with his minor son, who currently resides in Ireland with his mother.

The case, titled A v. B (Neutral Citation: 2025 INSC 1068), arose from an appeal against a Punjab & Haryana High Court order. The father's plea was narrowly focused on securing visitation rights through digital means after the mother relocated with the child to Ireland during pending litigation.

The Bench astutely navigated the acrimonious history between the parents, noting that their personal conflict should not victimize the child. The Court's reasoning centered on the paramountcy of the child's welfare. "When such disputes arise, the central question is not who is right or wrong as between the parents, but what arrangement will best serve the child. The emotional, mental, and physical well-being of the child must always come first," the judgment stated.

While acknowledging that the child was settled in Ireland and that disturbing this arrangement would not be in his best interest at present, the Court deemed the father's request for virtual interaction as "fair" and "reasonable." The order meticulously balances the practical realities of the child's living situation with the inalienable need for a relationship with his father.

"Denying such contact would deprive the child of the love, guidance, and emotional support of the father," the Bench observed.

The Supreme Court has now mandated a structured arrangement for two-hour video calls every alternate Sunday, placing a clear obligation on both parents to cooperate "in good faith, without obstruction or hostility." This order serves as a crucial precedent in an era of global mobility, affirming that geographical separation should not sever parental bonds and that technology can be a vital tool in upholding a child's right to both parents.

Scrutiny on National Recruitment Exams: SC Issues Notice on Plea Against SSC

The integrity of public recruitment processes came under the judicial microscope as a bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice AS Chandurkar issued notice in a writ petition seeking to streamline examinations conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). The plea, filed in NIKHIL KUMAR Vs UNION OF INDIA , alleges severe mismanagement and a lack of transparency in recent national-level tests, impacting thousands of aspirants.

The petition contends that the SSC abruptly switched its examination contractor from the long-standing Tata Consultancy Services to a firm named Eduquity, despite the latter's allegedly poor track record. The consequences, as per the plea, were immediately apparent during the SSC Selection Post/Phase XIII Examination, 2025.

The petition highlights widespread and severe lapses during "Exam I" of the series, including: * Inadequate infrastructure and malfunctioning computer systems. * Improper invigilation and security protocols. * Discrepancies in question papers.

These issues reportedly caused immense hardship to candidates. The petitioners claim that despite assurances from the concerned Ministry, "Exam II" was plagued by similar problems. The SSC itself acknowledged significant disruption, issuing a notification that it had postponed the exam for 59,000 affected candidates from Exam I to a later date. With "Exam III" scheduled for September, the petitioners approached the apex court seeking urgent directions to prevent a recurrence of these failures. The Court’s decision to issue notice signals its willingness to examine the operational framework of one of the country's largest recruiting bodies to ensure fairness and transparency for millions of job seekers.

Judicial Oversight in Sports: Court Brokers Deal for Smooth Football Season

In another instance of judicial intervention in institutional governance, the Supreme Court has directed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to ensure the timely commencement and smooth functioning of the 2025-26 football season. The order, delivered by a bench of Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, resolved a potential deadlock between the AIFF and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).

The uncertainty stemmed from the impending expiration of the Master Rights Agreement between AIFF and FSDL in December 2025, which had stalled planning for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) and other tournaments. Following the Court's directive to find a "consensual resolution," both parties submitted a joint proposal.

The agreed framework includes: * Transparent Tender Process: AIFF will conduct an open and competitive tender to select a new commercial partner for the ISL, overseen by an independent professional firm. * FSDL's Cooperation: FSDL has agreed to waive its contractual 'Right of First Negotiation' and 'Right to Match,' and has issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the tender process. * Season Commencement: The season will kick off with the Super Cup, an AIFF-controlled tournament, to ensure competitive continuity for clubs and players.

Praising the collaborative effort, the bench stated, "This shared commitment will go a long way in institutionalising domestic, national and international events."

To ensure impartiality, the Court has appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao to oversee the critical tender process. The case, All India Football Federation vs. Rahul Mehra & Ors. , continues to be monitored by the Court, which is also set to finalize its decision on the AIFF's draft constitution.

Other Key Matters Before the Courts

The Supreme Court also issued a notice in a distressing case of an alleged baby swap at a private hospital in Raipur. A couple approached the apex court after the Chhattisgarh High Court dismissed their plea. The petition states that a DNA test confirmed one of the twin girls they were given at discharge was not their biological child. The Supreme Court's decision to examine the matter highlights the judiciary's role as a last resort for citizens seeking investigation into grave allegations.

Meanwhile, in a related sphere of recruitment controversies, the Calcutta High Court robustly dismissed a plea from "tainted" candidates in the West Bengal SSC recruitment scam. Refusing to entertain their last-minute attempt to join the selection process, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya firmly stated, "So far as tainted is concerned, enough is enough." The court upheld the directions of the Supreme Court, which is seized of the larger matter, thereby reinforcing judicial discipline and hierarchy.