Mother seeks custody of child born out of live-in relationship

For the time being her father will continue to look after her till the petition is heard next week.

A girl born out of a live-in relationship between a couple was on Friday produced before the Bombay High Court,which heard a habeas corpus petition filed by her mother seeking her custody.

Justice A M Khanvilkar and Justice R Y Ganoo further directed the couple,Rekha and Santosh (names changed) to remain present in their chambers at 3 pm on September 3 to decide who should get the custody.

For the time being,the judges have not disturbed the custody of the child and asked her father to continue to look after her till the petition is heard next week.

Story continues below this ad

On the instructions of the court,Bombay police produced Santosh before the court. He was carrying his daughter in his arms and she appeared to be comfortable with

him.

Rekha alleged that they were in a live-in relationship and blessed with a baby,who is now three-years-old. Last year,she had gone to Dubai for a job,leaving behind the

child with her mother.

She further alleged that in February 2011 Santosh had visited his in-laws and took away the child saying he would return in a short while. He even took away the gold jewellery assuring that he would put them in safe custody. Santosh went to the native place in Kerala with the child and did not return,Rekha alleged.

An FIR was filed with the police,but no action was taken as Santosh was not traceable. Being aggrieved,Rekha moved the High Court seeking production of her daughter and child’s custody.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram