Supreme Court of India

LEKHAversusP. ANIL KUMAR

Citation: 2006 INSC 872
Decided: 21 November 2006
Disposal: Appeal(s) allowed
Bench: AR LAKSHMANAN

Holding

The welfare of the child is paramount; a mother’s remarriage does not per se disqualify her from custody, and the child’s expressed preference must be considered, leading to custody being awarded to the mother with visitation rights to the father.

Summary

The parties divorced after a period of separation; the mother later remarried. Their 12‑year‑old son had been living with the mother. The father filed a petition under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 seeking custody. The trial court, after interviewing the child who expressed a clear desire to remain with his mother, awarded custody to the mother. The Kerala High Court reversed the decision, granting custody to the father on the ground of the mother’s remarriage, without hearing the child. On appeal, the Supreme Court held that the paramount consideration is the child’s welfare, that a mother’s remarriage is not a ground to deny her custody, and that the child’s wishes must be taken into account under sections 17 and 25 of the Act. Consequently, the court restored the trial court’s order, granting custody to the mother while allowing the father visitation rights during vacations and weekends.

Issues considered

The remarriage of the mother can be a ground for denying her custody of the child.
Whether the court must consider the child’s preference under sections 17 and 25 of the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
Whether the High Court erred by not interviewing the child before awarding custody to the father.

Legislation cited

Guardians and Wards Act, 1890s. 17, s. 25

Subjects

child custodyGuardians and Wards Actwelfare of the childremarriagechild's preferencevisitation rightsHindu lawnatural guardian

Judgment

A LEKHA
v.
P. ANIL KUMAR

NOVEMBER21, 2006

B [DR. AR. LAKSHMANAN AND AL TAMAS KABIR, JJ.]

Guardians and Wards Act, 1890-ss. 17 and 25-Custody of 12 year
child-Child living with mother for last several years-Trial Court interviewed
C the child who expressed desire to live only with his mother-Mother having
income source and also having land and properties in her name-Trial CoOJrt
held that for welfare of the child, custody be given to mother-High Court
without interviewing the child directed grant of custody to the father-On
appeal, held: Paramount consideration is welfare ofthe child-He is happy
and contented with his mother and it would not be right to unsettle the
D same-High Court erred in giving custody of child to father only on ground
of remarriage of mother without considering .other aspects of the melter-It
ought to have ascertained the wishes of the child before granting custody to
the father.

On the issue of custody of a 12 year old child, the Trial Court, after
E considering the evidence on record and interviewing the child, held that for
welfare of the child the custody should be given to Appellant-mother and
dismissed the original petition of the Respondent-father filed under the
Guardians and Wards Act. On appeal, the High Court directed to give custody
of the child to the father without interviewing the child. The High Court
F allowed the appeal only on the ground of remarriage of the Appellant. It also
held that Respondent-father, a businessman in Saudi Arabia, was more apt
and suitable to protect the interest of the minor child and also to impart
education to his required standard.

The questions which arose for consideration in the present appeal are
G 1) Whether the High Court erred in giving custody of child to father only on
ground of remarriage of mother without considering other aspects of the
matter and 2) Whether the judgment of the High Court is also unjustifiable
because before passing the same, it ought to have enquired about the mental
make-up of the child to ascertain his willingness to go with his father.

H 234
""""- LEKHA v. P. ANIL KUMAR 235
Allowing the appeal, the Court A
HELD: 1.1. The remarriage of the mother cannot be taken as a ground
.• for not granting the custody of the child to the mother. The paramount
consideration should be given to the welfare of the child. At the interview, the
boy has expressed his willingness and desire to live only with his mother and
was admitted by him that the mother will provide him good education. The B
mother is also drawing pension of Rs.6,000/- p.m. and also having land and
properties in her name. When the boy says he prefers to live with his mother,
it will be beneficial for the boy and his education for a better future. The High
Court erred in allowing the appeal on the ground of remarriage of the
appellant without considering the other aspects of the matter. It is a matter of
custody of the child and the paramount consideration should be the welfare of
c
the child. The boy is living with his mother for the last several years and the
separation at this stage will affect the mental condition and the education of
the child and considering that the child himself attaches importance to his
education if the custody is to be given to the father now it will affect his
academic brilliance and future. The High Court ought to have seen that the D
re-marriage cannot be taken as a ground for giving custody of the child. There
I is also no finding by the High Court that the remarriage has adversely affected
the mental condition of the minor child. (240-E-H; 241-AI

1.2. The fact that the mother has married again after the divorce of her
first husband is no ground for depriving the mother of her parental right of E
custody. In cases like the present one, the mother may have shortcomings
but that does .. ot imply that she is not deserving of the solace and custody of

• her child. If the Court forms the impression that the mother is a normal and
independent young woman and shows no indication of imbalance of mind in
her, then in the end the custody of the minor child should not be refused to F
her or else it would be really assenting to the proposition that a second
marriage involving a mother per se will operate adversely to a claim of a
mother for the custody of her minor child. [242-E-Fl

Shaik Moidin v. Kunhadevi, AIR (1929) Madras 33 (Full Bench); Samuel
Stephen Richard v. Stella Richard, AIR (1955) Mad 451; Thrity Hoshie G
Dolikuka v. Hoshiam Shavaksha Dolikuka, AIR (1982) SC 1276 and Sura
Reddy v. Chenna Reddy, AIR (1950) Madras 306, referred to.

2.1. While it is no doubt true that under the Hindu Law, the father is
the natural guardian of a minor after the age of six years, the Court while
H
"
-~
236 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A considering the grant of custody of the minor to him has to take into account
other factors as well, such as the capacity of the father to look after the child's
needs and to arrange for his upbringing. It also has to be seen whether in
view of his other commitments, the father is in any position to give personal
attention to the child's over-all development. (243-E)

B 2.2. The child is intelligent and appears to be capable of expressing his
preference. In fact, he has in no uncertain terms indicated his desire to stay
with his mother. His mother's second marriage, instead of proving to be a
disadvantage, has proved to be beneficial for the child who seems to be happy
and contented in his present situation and it would not be right to unsettle
C the same. (243-E, GI

3.1. The High Court committed a grave error in not ascertaining the
wishes of the minor, which has consistently been held by the Courts to be of
relevance in deciding grant of custody of minor children. The High Court,
before setting aside the concurrent finding passed by the courts below, ought
D to have interviewed the child before coming to a conclusion that for the welfare
of the child the custody should be given to the father. (243-H; 240-C, DJ

3.2. This Court is therefore inclined to restore the order passed by the
Family Court and to give custody of the minor boy to his mother, but does not
want the child to grow up without knowing the love and affection of his natural
E father who too has a right to help in the child's upbringing. Although the
custody of the minor child is being given to the mother, the child should also
get sufficient exposure to his natural father and accordingly the respondent
is permitted to have custody of the child from the appellant during On am and
other important festivals and during the school vacation. It is made clear that
F the appellant-mother shall hand over the child to the respondent-father during
every mid summer vacation for about a month without adversely affecting the
child's education. The appellant should not also prevent the respondent-father
from coming to see the child during weekends and the appellant should make
necessary arrangements for the respondent to meet his child on such
occasions. The appellant should not also prevent the child from receiving any
G gift that may be given by the respondent-father to the child. [243-H; 244-A-C)

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 513 l of2006.

From the Judgment and Order dated 29-8-2005 of the High Court of
Kerala at Ernakulam in Mat. Appeal No. 208/2005(E).
H
LEKHA v. P. ANIL KUMAR [LAKSHMANAN, J.] 237
P.S. Narasimha, M. Gireesh Kumar and Khwairakpam Nobin Singh for A
the Appellant.

C.S. Rajan, K.N. Bhargavan,G. Prakash and Ms. Beena Prakash for the
Respondent.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by B
DR. AR. LAKSHMANAN, J. Leave granted.

The present appeal is directed against the order of the High Court of
Kerala allowing matrimonial appeal for the custody of the child of the
respondent by reversing the finding of fact arrived at by the trial Court. The C
trial Court, after considering the evidence on record and interviewing the
child, came to the conclusion that for the welfare of the child the custody
should be given to the mother and dismissed the original petition of the
respondent-father filed under the Guardians and Wards Act holding that he
is not entitled for the custody of the child. On appeal, the High Court reversed
the finding of the trial Court and directed to give the custody of the child to D
the father without interviewing the child. The High Court also permitted the
respondent to take the child to Gulf.

BACKGROUND FACTS:

The marriage between the appellant and the respondent was solemnized E
on 31.01.1994 as per Hindu religious rites and customs. Out of the said
wedlock, a son, namely, Rohit Vishnu was born and he is 12 years old now.
At the time of marriage, the respondent was employed abroad. After marriage
the appellant and the respondent lived together for 21/z months and thereafter
they lived separately because of the misunderstanding between them. Since F
the harassment and cruelty of the respondent crossed the extreme extent, the
appellant was compelled to file a petition for divorce on the ground of cruelty.
The respondent filed a petition for restitution of conjugal rights against the
appellant. Thereafter, the respondent filed an original petition under the
Guardians and Wards Act for the custody of the 11 years old minor child. The
main allegation of the respondent was that the appellant was having illegal G
intimacy with another person. The second contention was that if the child is
in the company of the appellant, it would affect the education of the child.
The respondent also contended that he is financially better than the appellant
and hence the custody of the child be given to him. The appellant defended
the matter and filed a written statement denying all the allegations. H
238 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R .

.A In the meantime, the Subordinate Judge passed an ex-parte decree for
divorce in favour of the appellant and the petition for restitution of conjugal
rights filed by the respondent was dismissed for default.

After considering the oral evidence adduced by the parties and examining
the documentary evidence and also interviewing the child, the trial Court
B came to the conclusion that for the welfare of the child the custody should
be given to the mother and dismissed the original petition of the father filed
under the Guardians and Wards Act.

Against the order of the trial Court, the respondent filed an appeal
before the High Court of Kerala. The contention of the respondent was that
C contrary to the deposition made by the appellant before the trial Court that
she would not re-marry, immediately after the judgment of the petition filed
under the Guardians and Wards Act, she remarried. It is, therefore, contended
that the continued custody of the child with the appellant would be detrimental
to the interest, progress and welfare of the child.
D
The High Court, without giving an opportunity to express the willingness
of the child, allowed the appeal only on the ground of remarriage of the
appellant/mother of the child. The High Court also held that the respondent-
father is a businessman in Saudi Arabia and the father is more apt and
suitable to protect the interest of the minor child and also in imparting
E education to the required standard of the child. Aggrieved against the order
passed by the High Court, the appellant has preferred the above civil appeal.
On 21.09.2005, the status quo was ordered by fois Court.

We heard Mr. P.S. Narasimha, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr.
C.S.Rajan, learned senior counsel for the respondent. We have also interviewed
F the child in our chamber for about an hour.

Mr. P.S. Narasimha, learned counsel for the appellant submitted that the
order· of the High Court is unjustifiable because before passing an order, the
High CMrt ought to have enquired about the mental make-up of the child to
G ascertain whether he is willing to go with his father. According to him, the
minor child is highly talented and the documents produced by the appellant
before the lower forum would clearly show that he is extraordinary in his
studies. He further submitted that the trial Court personally interviewed the
child. He categorically stated that he wants to stay with his mother. He stated
that the finding of the High Court that before the trial Cburt, the appellant
H unequivocally deposed that she would not re-marry for the purpose of looking
LEKHA v. P. ANIL KUMAR [LAKSHMANAN, J.] 239
after the minor child is totally wrong. Arguing further, he submitted that it is A
true that the appellant deposed that she has no intention to remarry and that
it does not mean that the appellant gave an undertaking that she would
continue to be unmarried in her whole life. Concluding his argument Mr.
Narasimha submitted that considering her age and for the welfare of her minor
child the appellant got remarried and in the circumstances that mother also B
has land and properties in her name, the finding of the High Court is only
on the basis of an oral submission and not from any documentary evidence,
hence the order of the High Court is liable to be set aside.

Mr. C.S. Rajan, learned senior counsel for the respondent-husband
submitted that the welfare of the minor child is the only interest in the C
remaining life of the respondent for which he is prepared to take any pain and
task in life. The respondent being a natural guardian of the child, the boy who
is 12 years old will find it difficult to adjust with his step-father and mother
who now has a baby with her second husband. Mr. Rajan further submitted
that the appellant in her statement before the Addi. District Judge had stated
that she would not remarry in life and would look after the child, which fact D
has been specifically stated in the judgment of the trial Court and in the High
Court. But quite contrary to the statement, the appellant immediately after the
judgment of the District Judge remarried on 24.06.2005. It is further submitted
that the appellant is now staying in her present husband's house in Varkala
which is about 150 kms. away from her parental house and, therefore, the E
appellant will not be in a position to take full care of the minor child in her
changed circumstances. Concluding his arguments, he submitted that the
respondent has purchased a car and arranged the driver for the convenience
of the child from the house of the respondent to the school and back and
that he can also engage good teachers and tutors for giving special attention
to the studies of the child. It is further submitted that the respondent's mother F·
who is alone at home is very healthy and active and can look after the child
and that besides his elder sister is also staying near his house in Kerala and
that the distance of the present school where the child is studying is only
15 kms. from his house. In the above circumstances, he prayed that the civil
appeal lacks question of law to be decided by this Court and deserves G
dismissal.

On 16.11.2006, we interviewed the boy in our chambers. The boy who
is now 12 years old appears to be a bright boy. He understands the questions
put to him and gave apt replies. At the time of interview, it was ascertained
that he had no ill-will or hatred towards his father but at the same time, he H
240 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A is not interested in living with the father permanently as he had expressed his
willingness to stay with his mother. The minor further stated that if he is
allowed to stay with his mother, that is better for his education and she will
teach him properly. He also said that the appellant (mother) treats him and the
new born baby with same love and affection and there is no discriminatory
treatment. He also further said that his step-father also likes him very much
B and that he, therefore, would prefer to live with his mother which will benefit
his education. The boy also said about the re-marriage of the mother and the
birth of the child for his mother. At the time of interview, the boy unequivocally
deposed that he would continue to live with his mother since the mother is
looking after him with all her love and affection.
c We have carefully perused the orders passed by both the lower Courts
and of the High Court. The High Court, before setting aside the concurrent
finding passed by the courts below, ought to have interviewed the child
before coming to a conclusion that for the welfare of the child the custody
should be given to the father. Mr. Rajan submitted that since the mother has
D remarried, she would not devote her time for the welfare of the boy and that
in the interest of the child, the child should be given custody only to the
father who is not only healthy but also have other facilities to look after the
child, his education and welfare.

We are of the opinion that the remarriage of the mother cannot be taken
E as a ground for not granting the custody of the child to the mother. The
paramount consideration should be given to the welfare of the child. As
already noticed, at the interview, the boy has expressed his willingness and
desire to live only with his mother and was admitted by him that the mother
will provide him good education. The mother is also drawing pension of
p Rs.6,000/- p.m. and also having land and properties in her name. When the
boy says he prefers to live with his mother, we are of the view that it will be
beneficial for the boy and his education for a better future. The High Court,
in our opinion, erred in allowing the appeal on the ground of remarriage of
the appellant without considering the other aspects of the matter. It is a matter
of custody of the child and the paramount consideration should be the
G welfare of the child. It is not in dispute the boy is living with his mother for
the last several years and the separation at this stage will affect the mental
condition and the education of the child and considering that the child
himself attaches importance to his education if the custody is to be given to
the father will now affect his academic brilliance and future.

H
LEKHA v. P. ANIL KUMAR [LAKSHMANA1'1, J.] 241
The High Court, in our opinion, ought to have seen that the re-marriage A
cannot be taken as a ground for giving custody of the child. There is also
no finding by the High Court that the remarriage has adversely affected the
mental condition of the minor child.

Siwik Moidin v. Kunhadevi, AIR (1929) Madras 33 (Full Bench). The
above was a case of a father, a motor driver, applying for writ of Habeas B
Corpus to get custody of his 7 year aged child. Nobody was available in his
house to look after such child. The Full Bench held that the Court has to look
to an application under Habeas Corpus in the interest of the child as being
paramount. The Court held that prima-facie in the eye of the law, the father
is the natural guardian and custodian of the person of his child. But it has C
been the law for a very long time both in England and in this country that
what a Court has to look to on applications under habeas corpus is the
interest of the child as being paramount.

In Samuel Stephen Richard v. Stella Richard AIR (l 955) Mad 451, the
High Court in deciding the question of custody held as follows:- D
"In deciding the question of custody, the welfare of the minor is the
paramount consideration and the fact that the father is the natural
guardian would not 'ipso facto' entitle him to custody. The principal
considerations or tests which have been laid down under section 17,
in order to secure this welfare are equally applicable in considering E
the welfare of the minor under section 25.

The application of these tests casts an 'arduous' duty on the
court. Amongst the many and multifarious duties that a Judge in
Chambers performs by far the most onerous duties are those cast
upon him by the Guardians and Wards Act. He should place himself F
in the position of a wise father and be not tired of the worries which
may be occasioned to him in selecting a guardian best fitted to assure
the welfare of a minor and thereafter guide and control the guardian
to ensure the welfare of the ward-a no mean task but the highest
fulfilment of the dharmasastra of his own country.
G
It is only an extreme case where a mother may not have the
interest of her child most dear to her. Since it is the mother who would
have the interest of the minor most at heart, the tender years of a child
needing the care, protection and guidance of the most interested
person, the mother has come to be preferred to others." H
242 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A In Thrity Hoshie Dolikuka v. Hoshiam Shavaksha Dolikuka, AIR ( 1982) SC
1276, this Court held as under:

"The principles of law in relation to the custody of a minor appear to
be well-established. It is well settled that any matter concerning a
minor, has to be considered and decided only from the point of view
B of the welfare and interest of the minor. In dealing with a matter
concerning a minor, the court has a special responsibility and it is the
duty of the Court to consider the welfare of the minor and to protect
the minor's interest. Jn considering the question of custody of a
minor, the Court has to be guided by the only consideration of the

c welfare of the minor."

According to the Hindu Law, the natural guardian of a minor child is
the father. In the next place, the guardian of a child is the mother. The very
principle of guardianship is that there is a presumption that parents will be
able to exercise good care in the welfare of their children if they do not
D happen to be unsuitable as guardians.

The Jaw permits a person to have the custody of his minor child. The
father ought to be the guardian of the person and property of the minor under
ordinary circumstances. The fact that the mother has married again after the
divorce of her first husband is no ground for depriving the mother of her
E parental right of custody. In cases like the present one, the mother may have
shortcomings but that does not imply that she is not deserving of the solace
and custody of her child. If the Court forms the impression that the mother
is a normal and independent young woman and shows no indication of
imbalance of mind in her, then in the end the custody of the minor child
should not be refused to her or else we would be really assenting to the
F proposition that a second marriage involving a mother per se will operate
adversely to a claim of a mother for the custody of her minor child. We are
fortified in this view by the authority of the Madras High Court in Sura Reddy
v. Chenna Reddy, AIR (1950) Madras 306 where Govinda Menon and Basheer
Ahmed Syed, JJ. have clearly laid down that the father ought to be a guardian
G of the person and property of the minor under ordinary circumstances and
that fact a Hindu father has married a second wife is no ground whatever for
depriving him of his parental right of custody.

A man in his social capacity may be reckless or eccentric in certain
respects and other may even develop a considerable distaste for his company
H
LEKHA v. P. ANIL KUMAR [LAKSHMANAN, J.] 243

with some justification but all that is a farcry from unfitness to have the A
natural solace of the company of ones own children or for the duty of
bringing them up in proper manner. Needless to say the respondent-husband,
in this case, seems to be anxious to have the minor child with him as early
as possible in order to look after him properly and to provide for his future
education. The feelings being what they are between the respondent and the B
appellant we think it is also natural on the part of the husband to feel that
if the minor child continues to live with his former wife, it may be brought
up to hate the father or to have a very adverse impression about him. This
certainly is not desirable. Needless to say, this Court is not called upon to·
find that the respondent-husband has been entirely blameless in his conduct
and few occasions referred to in this case and by the boy at the time of C
interview, it is not the duty of this Court even to ascertain whether the
respondent is of responsible and good citizen and a preferred individual.
Many people have shortcomings but that does not imply that they are not
deserving of the solace and custody of their children.

However, in the present case, we have to decide in the interest of the D
child as to who would be in a better position to look after the child's welfare
and interest. The general view that the Courts have taken is that the interest
and welfare of the child is paramount. While it is no doubt true that under
the Hindu Law, the father is the natural guardian of a minor after the age of
six years, the Court while considering the grant of custody of the minor to E
him has to take into account other factors as well, such as the capacity of
the father to look after the child's needs and to arrange for his upbringing.
It also has to be seen whether in view of his other commitments, the father
is in any position to give personal attention to the child's over-all development.

As indicated hereinbefore, we have spoken to the child who, in our F
view, is intelligent and appears to be capable of expressing his preference. In
fact, he has in no un1:ertain terms indicated his desire to stay with his mother.
His mother's second marriage, instead of proving to be a disadvantage, has
proved to be beneficial for the child who seems to be happy and contented
in his present situation and we do not think it would be right to unsettle the
same. G
The High Court committed a grave error in not ascertaining the wishes
of the minor, which has consistently been held by the Courts to be of
relevance in deciding grant of custody of minor children. We are, therefore,
inclined to restore the order passed by the Family Court and to give custody H
244 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A of the minor boy to his mother, but as indicated hereinbefore, we do not want
the child to grow up without knowing the love and affection of his natural
father who too has a right to help in the child's upbringing. We are of the
view that although the custody of the minor child is being given to the
mother, the child should also get sufficient exposure to his natural father and
accordingly we pennit the respondent to have custody of the child from the
B appellant during Onam and other important festivals and during the school
vacation. We make it clear that the appellant-mother shall hand over the child
to the respondent-father during every mid summer vacation for about a month
without adversely affecting the child's education. The appellant should not
also prev~nt the respondent-father from coming to see the child during
C weekends and the appellant should make necessary arrangements for the
respondent to meet his child on such occasions. The appellant should not
also prevent the child from receiving any gift that may be given by the
respondent-father to the child.

In the result, the above civil appeal stands allowed and the judgment
D and final order passed by the High Court of Kerala in matrimonial appeal No.
208 of 2005 is set aside. However, there will be no order as to costs.

B.B.B. Appeal allowed.

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