47 Crimlnal Writ PetitionN0393 of2009 1 V 0 IN THE HIGH COUR OF PUNJAI3 8 I IARYANA AT CHANDIGAR CriminalWrit PetitionNo93 of2009 Dccidcdon ID I l 009 JaswinderKaur Petitioncr 0 0 Vcrsus X C5 Stateof Punjaband others CORAM HONBLE MR JUSTICE KC PURl X Prcsenl Ms GKMann Advocatefor thepctilioncr 06 Mr SudhirNehra AddAG Punjab for C0 No l to 3 Mr GSNagraAdvocatcfor rcspondcilt NosA and 5 7 Z KCPURI Je Jaswinder KauIoetitionerhasOlcd this petitionunderArticle 227 of theConslitutionof lndia for the 1SsuancC of a writ in thc nalurc of habeascorpus for thc releaseof detenueslchildrcnnamclyMohit Sidhu agcd6 years SOO and Ekta son and of dcccascdAnil KUmar Whoarc in illegalcustody Nos4 and 5 I1has bccnallcgcdbythc pctitioncrthal sllc was narried with Anil Kumar 8011 of rcspondcnl Nos and 5 about ninc ycars ago Out of this wedlock one nainelykta agcdabout ciglltvcars and one son namcly Mohit agcdaboutsix yearstclok birthaild thc was living Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 48 Criminal Writ PetitionNo93 of2009 0 1 at Jalandhar with her husbandAnil Kumar who was servingin PAP Jalandhar Anil Kumar husbandof thc pctitioncr died on 232009 at Jalandharafler brief illness The deadbodyof thedcccasedwas takento hisvillageChamiarifor cremationandthc pctitioneralongwith her childrenldetenucsattended the cremation Aflcr thc crcmation of Anil t Kumar thechildrenof the were takcn by Nos and 5 0 forclblyand on delnandbythc she was givcnmercilcssbcating C X andthrownout ofthe housebyanothcr sons Nos and 5 C5 X It has bccn further allcgedthat NoA who lS a rctired person and is agcdabout 65 ycars and thc rcspondcnt No is aged Z 2 about 60 years Theyhavethreesons and one who arc alrcady inarricd and are livingin thevillagewith thcm Thc NoA and 5 X have illegaleycs over the duesof Anil Kumarieccased Which havcbecn clj 00 paidto the petitionerbythe Govcrnmentbeinggovernment scrvant The Vm petitionerbeing a inother hasevery rightto havethecustody ofhcr childrcn Z but the Nos and 5 forciblytook thc dctenueswithout thc Qw consentofthe petitioner On notice Nos to 3 have fllcd replybywayof affldavit of ManjitSinghPPS Deputy of Police l I District Jalandharand took up objections that JaswinderKaur Petitioncrwas marricd with Anil Kutnar Out ofthis Ivcdlock two children were bomeThe petitioner uscd to staywilh her parentswhcreasherchildrcn were brought up byrespondents NoA and 5Anil Kumar was scrving in the Policc and hc dicd duc to illncss Thc pctitioncrcame at thc ti111eOfthc CrcmationofAnil Kumar The NosA and 5 havc not Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 49 1 1 6 Criminal Writ Petition No793 of2009 3 3 dctainedthechildren illegallybut were brought up bythc rcspondcnt NosA and 5 being Thercforethcpetitioncr has no causc of action to invoke the of this Court and thc prcsentpctltlon is not maintainableand liableto bc dismissedon thisgroundalonc It has bccn furtherallegcdthat no case or inquiryis pcnding with them Howcvcr the petitioner movcd an earlier to the 0 Senior of Police Jalandhar which was inquircd lllto bythe C X Women Cell Jalandhar Sincc the matlcr of thc saidapplication C5 X wasof a civil nature the same was to the records The pctitioncr r4 has therefore no causc of action to array thcin as party to thc prcsent Z pelitlOll On merits theydenied all thc avcrments and praycdfor X dismissal ofthe petition 08 QO NosA and 5 filed scparatereplyand took up e7 thatthc alleged dctcnuesarc staying with thcm Z sinCC iongand theyare not in unlawfulcustodyand thc presentpetition 1 ts not maintainableTheyhave already filedpetilionundcr Scctions7 and 25 of theGuardianand WardsAct 1890 in short theAct9read with Section6 of Iiindu Minorityand Guardian Ac 1956 in short thc GuardianActl for their as Guardianofininor Ekta and minorMohit Sidllu On inerits it has been pleadedthat dcceased4lusbandof the petitionerwas workingin the PunjabPolicc at Jalandhar Duringhis Iifc time petitionerwas not havingoodrelationswith hcr dcccascdhusband who fcll ill and he was admittcdin the hospilaland thepetitioner lefl boththe childrenat thc houseof thc bcforc thc Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document SO CriminalWrit Petition No93 of 2009 4 4 deathof Anil Kumar with the wording thatshcis brcaking thc with thefamilyand she new that Ailil Kumar would not survive Sincethcn thc allegeddetenuesare rcsiding with thc and arc even goingto thcir school for education Thc camc at thc crcmation of their deceasedson but did not bothcr to staywith themOr lo 1 know about the wclfare of thc childrcn lllcy dcnicd all othcr 0 levclled in thepetition and prayed for disinissalofthis pctition 0 X I have heard Iearncdcounselfor the particsand havc gonc C5 the rccordsofthe case Learncd counscl for thc pctitioner has submittcdthat Z to the documentsplaced on thc 8lc thcdateofbirth oflta ofthc petitionerlS 2082000 whercas the date of birth of Mohit son of the I pctitioncr is 2582002 So bolh thcchildrcn arc ofthc agc ofabout 9 and7 05 years Thc is mothcrofboth thcscminors Pctilioncr 7 alongwith her husband and two minor childrcn Ekta and Mohit had bccn Z residing at Jalandhar and copy of thc ration card in this regardhasbccn Qm placcd on thc filc Husband of pctitioncrAnil Kumar WllOwas of thc PunjabPolicc fell scriouslyill and he was admittcd111 thehospitalwhcre he died The dcad bodyofthc dcccascd was takento his villagcChainiarifor crelnation and thc pctitionctalotlgwith hcr children attendcdthc cremationAllcr thc crcmationof Anil Kumar thc childrcn of the petitioner WCC takcn by NosA and 5 forciblyand shc was given mcrcilcss bcating and thrownout of thc housc aftcr tllc custodyby NosA and 5 NoA is a rctircd pcrsOnoI 65 years of agc and rcspondcnl No is agcdabout 60 ycars lley havc Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 51 1 Criminal Writ Pctition No93 of2009 5 0 three sons and onc daughtcrwho all are marricd and arc Iivingin the villagewith Nos 4 and5 It is furthcrsubmittcdthat duc to the ducs of Anil Kumar Nos and 5 have illcgallytakcn into custody the allegeddetenues It is submittedthat lhc wril of habeascorpus lS maintainable The welfarc of thc minor Iies in thc custody of thc 1 petitioner beingmothcr and naturalguardian 0 Icarncd counsel for thc petitioner has relicd upon C X Dureesh Kumar Ahuia VSe Vineet Khuarana 1985421RCRCriminall C5 X 399 and Gurmeet Kaur Batth VS State of Punjaband othcrs 2009111 RCR 1Criminall974 Z In rcplyto above said argumentsCOUllselfor lhc has submitted that mattcr lS sub judicebcforc the Guardian Judgc X c8 NosA and 5 have6lcd an for their as CO guardian of both the mlllOrs It is contcndedthat thcpctitioncr hcrsclf has 7 Icft the custodyof lllinors at thc houseof NosA and 5 much Z Qm beforethe dcath of Anil Kumar with thc wording lhat shc is brcaking thc rclationswith thcir fainily Duringthe Iifetimc of Anil Kumar hasnot goodrclationswith her husband hc childrenarc Ill thccustody of the NosA and 5 hc pctitioncrhastakcn a wrong standand lhat she was thrownout of thc housc by Thc havc no conccrn with thc alllount to bc paidto thcpetitioncr on account of dcathof thcir son Motllcr is class I hcir of her dcccasedson likewisethc 11111101 havc no in case thc amount of the minor is ordcrcd to bc dcposited ltl thcir nalncs till thcyattainedthc age of majorityIt is contcndcd that pctitioncr is Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 52 1 a0 l Criminal Writ Petition No93 of2009 6 thcnaturalguardian but sincc shchas hcrselflcfl thc minor in thecustodyOl1 so thepraycr has beenmadefor dismissalof habcas corpus petitionaIt is contendedthat in the prcscnce of under Section7 and 25 ofthe Act the prcscntpctitionIS not maintainableItis however contendedthat pctitioncr can seck thc interiin custodyof thc 1 children ltl those It is furthcr contcndcd that paramount 0 considerationfor interimcustody is welfareofthe nlinors and Icgalrights of 3 X the pctitionerbcingnatural guardianafter death of Ani l Kumar Is not 0 I sufficientto givcthecustodyof the minors to the pclilioncrIt is submilted that thc dctenuesare studying lll the schooland bcinglookedaflcr propcrly Z bylhc C Learncd counsclfor lhc has relied upon authoritics Ms Janak Kumari VS RCKotwal RCR Criminall 672 cli D fHimachal Pradcshl DBl DeepakAenihotri VS The Commissionerof W2 Police and Ors 2009121RCR 1Criminall30 and Sahiba Ali vseState Z Qe ofMaharastra and others RCR 1Civill 273 I havecarefully examincd the contcntionsraiscd by both thc lcarnedcounscl for the particsand with thcir assistancegone through thc rccordsofthc case e The flrsl controvcrsyraiscd in lhe prcscnt wril pctitinnIS whetherlhc writ of halcas corpus lS rnaintainableto haild ovcr thc custody ofthc minor childrcn The answcr lo thatqucstion iS lll positivc Whcrc thccustodyof the children hasbcen takcn bythc othcr parly by forccor not in an lcgalmanncr lll that case wnt of habcas corpus 1S maintainable and the custody should bc rcsorted to thc Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 53 Crilninal Writ Pctition No93 of2009 7 0 kecpingin vicw thc wclfarcofthe minors In DurgcshKumar Ahuias case Isupr Dclhi I IighCourl has held that writ of habeascorpus is mainlainable allcrnative remedy undcr Guardian and Ward Acl may bc availablc Againin Gurmect Kaur Batths casc supral Punjaband i HaryanaHighCourt hcld that molhcr is thc natural can Olchabeas 0 corpusclaimingcustodyof thc child dirccting thc to producc C X the child In thc Cour Evcn lll aulhorily Janak Kumars case 1supral C5 Division 3cnch of Himachal PradeshIiighCourl it has bccn hcld that writ X ofhabcascorpusto rcstore thc custody is maintainablc Z In authorilyDeepakAgnihotris case lsupral Division 13cnch of Delhi HighCourt which hasbccn relicd upon by thc also X laysdown thatwrit ofhabeascorpuslies wherconc ofthc particsforcibly or cll CO snalched a child from thc lawful cuslodyof olhcr snalchcd Vn2 parttes Z In authorily Sahiba Alis case lsupral lhc Honblc ApcxCourt has held wherc the havc bccn awardcd custodyof thc minor children in that casc wnt 0f habcascorpus docs not lic as lhc maltcr regarding custody has bccome Onalbythc familyCourl Thc said is not hclpful to the case ofthc in this casc as on thc factsofthc prcsentcasc no order rcgardingcustodyhas bccn passcdby lhc Court or thcGuardianJudgetill today While thccustodyofthc minor wclfarcofthc minors 1S paramountconsidcratoionThc custodycan cvcn bc handcdOVCr to thc relativeswho is not naturalguardianaccording to thc liindu Minorityand Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 54 e1 Criminal Writ Pctition No93 of2009 8 Il Acl Now to thc faclsof thc prcscntcasc Anil Kumar IlOW deceascdhusbandof the pclilitoncr and thc minor childrennamely Ekla and Mohit wcre livingat Jalandhar CopyofRation Card to that effcct has bcen placedon thc fllc It is also nol 1 C that Anil Kumar died in thc hospital aftcrhis illncssand thcrcaflcr 0 the disputeregarding the cuslodyof thc rnInor has ariscn Undcr I Iindu C3 Law priorto cominginto operation Hindu Minorityand Act C5 I 1956 the fatherwas the natural guardianof thc pcrson and scparate ofhis minor childrcn andncxt to him camc thcmolhcr Z Section 60f the thc Guardian Act Iaysdown that L t naturalguardians ofa Hindu minor in respcctofthe minors pcrson as wcll as in respectofthe minors propertycxcluding his or hcr undivided intcrest olj C0 injointfamily are 4 n al In thc case of a boyor unmarricdgirllhe fathcr and afler Z him the motherprovided that thecustody ofa minorwhohas a not the ageof Ovcycarsshall ordinarily bc with the mothcr Thc molher provided that custodyof thc minor son completcd the agc of flllc ycars shall ordinarily bc Wilh lhc mother Thc agc of minors IIl lhc prcscntcaSC lS 71 ycars and 91 ycars i date of birth of kta of thc pctitioncris 2082000 whcrcas dateof birthof Mohit SOll of thcpetitioncr 1S 25800 Itislhe case of boththepartiesthalat the timc ofdcath ofAnil Kumar pctilioncrcamelo villagcChamiariand thcreaflcr childrcn rcmainedat villagcChamiari Thc Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 55 4 Criminal Writ Petition No93 of2009 9 caseof thepetitioncr is that shewas beatcnand was not allowed to lakc lhc children whereas thc casc of the lS that thc pctitioncr left the childrenat villageChamiari Howcvcr this fact IS not disputed that priorlo death of Anil Kumar thc childrcn wcrc rcsidingat Jalandhar alongwith petitioner and Anil Kumar dcccascd Anil Kumar deceasedwas in jobwith the Policc al Jalandhar 0 NosA and 5 havc thrce sons and grandchildrcrThe prcsenlpctilionas pcr 3 I rccord hasbcensubmittcdon 14009 whcrcasdcalh ofAnil Kumar has C5 takcn placeon 232009 Chaman lrcspondcnt has Olcdpctitionundcr Sections7 and 25 of the Act read with Scction60f thc Guardian Act for Z his as guardian of Ekta and Mohit in rcspcctof thcir person 2 4 and propcrty No doubt the rightsof thc particsrcgardingcuslodyshall X bc determined lll that pctitionbut considcring lhc wholc of thc 06 C Circumstances and keeping in view thc factlhal minors wcrc in lhc custody m7 of petitioner and Anil Kumar till 232009 I am ofthc considcrcd vicw that for welfarcof thc minors thc custody should bc handcd ovci lo lhc inolhcr till the decision undcr Scction 25 ofthc Acl In fact Nos and 5 had dcprivcdof a mothcrfrom thc custodyof minors IIkta and Mohit So the writ of habcas corpus lS maintainablcfor restoring lhe custodyofthc who to be thc mothcrof both thc mtnors Ilowcvcr thc vcry lhc factlhat NoA and 5 arc contcsting tllc custody 0flhc mInors so in my vicw thc cannot be dcprivcd off to mccl tllc rnlnors So till thc decision of applicalion utldcr Scctioil 25 and 7 tlf the Act itis ordercd Nos4 and 5 shall havc thc right10 mcet Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 56 1 4 0 1 Criminal Writ Petltion No393 012009 10 1 theminorsat Jalandhar thcplaccofrcsidenccofthc pctilioncr or at a place to both thc partics on 2 and 4 Sundayofevcrymonlh Thc minors are statcd lo bc admiltcdIll lhc school thcrclorc NosA and 5 shall arrangcfor thc school Icaving ccrtiOcalcsof thcseminorsand pctitioner shall admit thcm in a school ofhcr choicc al her 1 r placeofresidencc 0 Howcver lt lS made clear that any obscrvation nladc in thc C X disposal of thc prcscntpclitionmaynot be construcdas an cxprcssionof 0 I opinionregarding thc declsion undcr Scctions 25 and 70fthc Act Z NoA and 5 shall hand OVCT lhc custodyof the C minors to thc petitioner wilhin ten days In casc bythe X thc Guardian Judgcshall cxccutc this ordcr at thc instanceof otj CO pctitioner am A copy of this bc scnl to thc trial Court for strict Z Om 2009 JUlOGE r 1 t6 01 h 1 1 Uma 2013.05.15 14: 15 Scanned True Copy of Original PHHC,Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document