In a recent ruling, the Madras High Court instructed a woman to treat her estranged husband with the utmost respect and kindness during his visits with their child, adhering to the Indian principle “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God).
The court made this directive while addressing a petition for joint custody and shared parenting filed by the father of a 10-year-old girl. The court granted the father’s request to visit the child on Fridays and Saturdays between 6 and 8 p.m., as the divorced couple lived in separate towers of a luxury housing community in Chennai.
Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy emphasized that poisoning a child’s mind against one parent by the other constitutes child abuse. He stated, “Children do not naturally feel hatred; it is a taught emotion. Turning a child’s mind against their other parent is considered child abuse. Every child has the right to and need for an unthreatened and loving relationship with both parents.”
Justice Ramaswamy noted that while separated couples may not need to treat each other with love, humanity requires them to be kind in front of their children. He observed numerous instances where a parent, during court-ordered visits, faced non-cooperation and ill-treatment from the custodial parent.
Considering the best interests of the children, Justice Ramaswamy pointed out that courts generally permit parents to visit their children while in the custody of the other parent. Unfortunately, custodial parents often disregard court orders, mistreating the visiting parent and creating a hostile environment in front of the child.
The judge directed the wife to show hospitality towards her estranged husband during his visits. This includes providing snacks and dinner, sharing the meal with the child, and creating a positive and healthy atmosphere to ensure the child feels happy and enjoys the moments spent with both parents.
This ruling underscores the importance of fostering a positive environment for children during parental visits, reinforcing the principle that children deserve a loving and supportive relationship with both parents.
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