On March 8, the Gujarat High Court ordered a mother to arrange video calls between her young son and his estranged father, who resides in Australia. The court emphasized creating an environment for the child to connect with his father, fearing the child might not recognize him after years of separation.
Court’s Concern
Chief Justice Aravind Kumar expressed apprehension, saying, “The moment the child sees his father, he might say, ‘hello uncle.’ This must not happen.” Sadly, the court’s fears came true during the first virtual meeting when the child refused to speak to his father, calling his mother his sole caregiver.
Background of the Case
The husband and wife were living in Australia when their relationship deteriorated. The wife returned to India in 2012 with their 9-month-old son. Since then, legal battles over separation, maintenance, and custody have persisted. Attempts to reconcile included a failed visit to Australia and a proposal by the husband to bring the mother and son back using air tickets.
The father filed a legal complaint, alleging that his wife was preventing him from seeing their son. In response, the court ordered video calls over three consecutive days to foster bonding between the father and child.
Court’s Recommendations
Chief Justice Kumar urged both parents to cooperate, stating that a family reunion would be in the child’s best interest. The bench remarked, “The love and affection of both parents are crucial for the child’s overall development.”
The husband also requested his wife’s medical records to arrange treatment for her health issues. The court ruled that transparency between spouses is essential and ordered the mother to share her medical documents.
Next Steps
The High Court has scheduled a further hearing on March 16, seeking a report on the progress of the video call interactions. The court remains hopeful for a resolution that prioritizes the child’s emotional and psychological well-being.
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