Reportable

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
Civil Appeal Nos. 3544-45 of 2020
(Arising out of SLP (C) Nos. 21049-21050 of 2019

Mrs Ritika Sharan ….Appellant

Versus

Mr Sujoy Ghosh …. Respondent

JUDGMENT

Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, J

1 These appeals arise from a judgment dated 11 July 2019 of a Single

Judge of the High Court of Karnataka.

2 The appellant and the respondent got married on 4 February 2009. Their

child, Sattik, was born on 9 May 2013. There are serious differences between the

spouses and they have been living apart since 2016. The appellant submits that

she has been compelled to leave the matrimonial home due to domestic violence
Signature Not Verified

Digitally signed by
Sanjay Kumar
Date: 2020.10.28
and abuse. The appellant instituted a petition on 6 October 2016, under Section
17:12:35 IST
Reason:

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ground of cruelty. The divorce proceedings are pending before the Family Court,

Bengaluru (MC No. 4484 of 2016). The appellant also instituted an application

which is pending in the Court of the Metropolitan Magistrate at Bengaluru (Crl.

Misc. No. 228 of 2016). The appellant is in the employment of Nike Global

Trading since 2011 and has been posted in Singapore in September 2017.

3 The appellant filed IA No. 3 in July 2017 in the proceedings before the

Family Court in MC No. 4484 of 2016, seeking a direction to the respondent to

handover the passport of the child. The appellant claims that she sought the

child’s passport on the ground that prior to her relocation in September 2017, she

was required to travel for short durations outside India (where she was then

based) and found it convenient to take the child with her. The respondent

opposed the grant of relief and filed an interim application, IA No. 4,1 seeking an

injunction against the appellant from taking the child out of Bengaluru. On the

same day, the respondent had also filed IA No. 52 and sought interim custody

and visitation rights so as to enable him to meet the child. The appellant opposed

IA No. 4 and IA No. 5 filed by the respondent, alleging that the respondent was

abusive, violent and suffers from a psychiatric disorder as a result of which, he

cannot be granted the custody of the child.

1
IA No. 4 of 2017 in MA 4484/2016
2
IA No. 5 of 2017 in MA 4484/2016

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4 By an order dated 4 January 2018, the Family Court dismissed IA No. 3

filed by the appellant for the child’s passport, and allowed IA No. 4 of the

respondent, restraining the appellant from taking the child out of Bengaluru. The

Family Court granted this relief on the basis that if the child is moved out of

Bengaluru, it would lose jurisdiction over the child. The appellant instituted two

writ proceedings – Writ Petition No. 9528 of 2018 (GM-FC) and Writ Petition No.

11520 of 2018 before the High Court to challenge the order dated 4 January

2018 of the Family Court in IA Nos. 3 and 4.

5 On 1 March 2018, the Family Court passed an order in IA No. 5 filed by the

respondent seeking interim custody and visitation rights and directed the

appellant or her parents (who had moved from NOIDA to Bengaluru to help the

appellant with the child) to produce the child before the Mediation Centre on

every third Saturday, at 11:00 am to allow for visitation by the respondent till 5:00

pm.

6 On 9 July 2018, a Single Judge of the High Court in the appellant’s Writ

Petition No. 9528 of 2018 (GM-FC) and Writ Petition No. 11520 of 2018, in an

interim order, noted that the minor child was in the custody of the maternal grand-

parents (who are permanent residents of AWHO Colony, Greater Noida-

201310). The High Court noted that while the appellant resides in Singapore, the

respondent was temporarily residing in Ireland. The order of the Family Court

dated 1 March 2018, restraining the appellant from removing the child from

Bengaluru was stayed by the High Court, subject to the child being produced on

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every Saturday before the Bengaluru Mediation Centre in terms of the order of

the Family Court.

7 While these writ petitions were pending, in November 2018, the appellant

filed an application (IA No. 11) in the proceedings in MC No. 4484 of 2016 before

child to travel to Singapore during his Christmas vacations, commencing on 14

December 2018 and ending on 2 January 2019. The appellant also filed IA No.

123 to direct the respondent to submit the passport of the child to the Family

Court. By an order dated 20 November 2018, the appellant was permitted to take

the child to Singapore for the Christmas vacation and the respondent was

directed to submit the passport of the child before the Family Court, to be kept in

the safe custody of the Family Court. The respondent assailed this order before

the High Court in Writ Petition No. 53079 and 53687 of 2018 (GM-FC). By the

time the proceedings came up before the High Court on 18 February 2019, the

relief which had been granted by the Family Court allowing the appellant to take

the child to Singapore over Christmas was rendered infructuous since the

appellant was not able to take the child due to the pending proceedings. With

respect to the direction for the submission of the passport of the child, the High

Court noted that the Family Court had not considered the objections of the

respondent to this direction and the appropriate remedy for the respondent would

be to file for a review of the Family Court’s order dated 20 November 2018.

3
IA 12 in MC 4484/2016

4
8 Eventually, on 11 July 2019, the Single Judge of the High Court dismissed

the writ petitions instituted by the appellant,4 challenging the validity of the order

of the Family Court dated 4 January 2018 restraining her from taking the child out

of Bengaluru.

9 Assailing the judgment of the High Court, Ms Meenakshi Arora, learned

Senior Counsel submits that:

(i) There is a manifest error on the part of the Family Court in presuming that

once the minor child accompanies his mother to Singapore it would lose

jurisdiction;

(ii) The issue before the Family Court did not pertain to the permanent

custody of the child;

(iii) The child has been in the custody of the appellant since his birth;

(iv) The appellant sought permission to take the child with her to Singapore,

where she has now been relocated by her employer. The appellant does

not seek to do so on a permanent basis since the move is only for the

period during which she is posted in Singapore;

(v) The paramount objective must be to ensure the welfare of the child. The

child has been in the care of the appellant since his birth and the parents

of the appellant shifted from NOIDA to Bengaluru to help her. The

appellant was even ready and willing to bring the child on every third

Saturday, for grant of visitation to the respondent as directed by the

Family Court, should this be so ordered and directed by this Court; and

4
Writ Petition No. 9528/2018 and 11520/2018 (GM-FC)

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(vi) The appellant and her son hold Indian passports and the appellant is

willing to furnish such an undertaking, as this Court may direct, to ensure

that the child is not placed outside the control and jurisdiction of the

Family Court, Bengaluru. Ms Arora has urged that the appellant was

constrained to move out of the jointly owned residential apartment due to

the violent and abusive conduct of the respondent and the reason for her

to seek the permission of this Court to take the child to Singapore is to

enable her to look after the child. It has been submitted that the employer

of the appellant is providing assistance towards the expenditure for the

education of the child, who would be admitted to the Global Indian

International School at Singapore.

10 Opposing the above submissions, Mr Harshad V Hameed, learned counsel

appearing on behalf of the respondent submitted that:

(i) The appellant has made an attempt to ‘shift the goal-posts’ from time to

time. The pleading before the High Court was that the child has been in

the custody of the maternal grand-parents while a contradictory plea was

now being taken up before this Court that he has been in the care and

custody of the appellant;

(ii) The only application that was filed by the appellant in the Family court – IA

No. 3 – dated 21 July 2017 was for the return of the passport of the child;

the basis of which was occasional travel overseas;

(iii) The appellant has not instituted a substantive proceeding claiming

guardianship of the child. On the other hand, the respondent has filed for

guardianship of the child before the Family Court, Bengaluru;

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(iv) Pursuant to the order dated 1 March 2018 of the Family Court, the child

has been living in Bengaluru with the child’s maternal grand-parents. The

appellant has not assailed the validity of this order; and

(v) If the appellant were to take the child to Singapore, it would not be

possible to ensure that she will not relocate elsewhere and take the child

with her, effectively placing the child outside the jurisdiction of the Indian

courts.

11 During the course of these proceedings, parties had on the suggestion of

the Court, agreed to explore the possibility of resolving their disputes through

mediation. Mediation proceedings were conducted by Ms Laila T Ollapally under

the auspices of the Bengaluru Mediation Centre. The mediator held extensive

sittings stretching over twenty seven hours. The mediation has not resulted in a

settlement. This Court must, however, acknowledge the efforts which have been

made by Ms Laila T Ollapally, and records its appreciation. Though the parties

have not been able to resolve their disputes, we can only hope that with the

facilitative assistance of the Mediator, each of them has appreciated better the

perspective of the other. Since the hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic have

been conducted before this Court through video-conferencing, the Court has had

the opportunity to interact with the appellant and the respondent as well as their

child, Sattik, who is now about 7 years old.

12 The narration of facts and the record before this Court indicate that after

lodging a petition for divorce before the Family Court, the appellant sought the

passport of the child. It was thereafter, that the respondent filed an application for

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restraining the appellant from taking the child out of Bengaluru. IA No. 4 of the

respondent was allowed, and IA No. 3 for the return of the passport to the

appellant-mother was rejected. Close on the heels of the above order, which was

passed on 4 January 2018, the Family Court by its order dated 1 March 2018

noted that the child was presently residing with the parents of the appellant and

directed the appellant “or her parents” to produce the child before the Mediation

Centre for access on every third Saturday at 11:00 am, and the respondent was

directed to return the child to the appellant “or her parents” by 5:00 pm.

13 On 21 July 2017, through IA No.3, the appellant had stated on affidavit

before the Family Court that the custody of the child, who was then about 4 years

of age, was with her and since she was required to travel out of India

occasionally for work, the passport may be handed over to her. She, in fact,

stated that neither had the respondent any intention to seek the custody of the

child nor had he visited the child after the spouses parted ways. The fact that the

child is in the care and custody of the appellant was not denied by the respondent

in his reply dated 29 July 2017. In July 2017, when the appellant sought the

return of the passport, she was based in India. The Court has been apprised of

the fact that it was in September 2017 that the appellant had relocated to

Singapore. Ms Meenakshi Arora, learned Senior Counsel, stated before the Court

that the appellant was given an option by her employer to relocate to Singapore

as a part of a restructuring exercise. Whatever be the reason underlying her

relocation to Singapore, it is evident from the material on record that the purpose

of the appellant in doing so was not to place the child outside the jurisdiction of

Indian courts. Ever since the appellant and the respondent started living apart in

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2016, the child has been in the care and custody of the appellant, his mother.

The fact that the parents of the appellant have moved to Bengaluru to help their

daughter, does not transfer the custody of the child, either as a matter of law or

fact, from the appellant to the maternal grand-parents. The record indicates that it

was after the appellant sought the return of the passport on 21 July 2017,5 that

the respondent moved an application restraining the appellant from removing the

child outside Bengaluru6 and for the grant of custody and visitation rights on 29

July 20177.

14 The primary consideration that must weigh with the Court is the welfare of

the child. The respondent has asserted in the course of the submissions, that the

child is in the custody of the parents of the appellant in Bengaluru and should

remain with them. Alternatively, he submitted that he would take charge of the

child. While the parents of the appellant may have volunteered at least

temporarily to relocate from NOIDA to Bengaluru to help the appellant in looking

after the child, we are clearly of the view that the respondent cannot be heard to

assert that the child must continue to remain in Bengaluru with the maternal

grand-parents. For the respondent to insist that the court should direct the

continued presence of the child under the care of the maternal grand-parents

who have come to Bengaluru and stay in a rented accommodation obtained by

the appellant, does not appear to be fair. Nor is there sufficient material before

the Court to indicate that the respondent is in a position to look after the child on

his own, by disturbing a position which has held the field since 2016. Before

5
IA No 3 of 2017
6
IA No 4 of 2017
7
IA No 5 of 2017

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2016, when the spouses were together, the child lived and grew up in the care of

both the parents. Since 2016, the appellant has taken the responsibility for the

welfare of the child.

15 The child, Sattik, was born on 9 May 2013, following which the appellant

and the respondent resided together with the child until they parted ways in 2016.

Since then, in any event, the appellant has been looking after the care and

welfare of the child. That she has done so with the assistance of her parents who

have moved to Bengaluru, does not detract from her role and responsibility as a

mother. In fact, the order of the Family Court dated 1 March 2018, which has

been adverted to earlier, indicates that on the days when the respondent is to

obtain visitation, it is the appellant or her parents who were to produce the child

before the Bengaluru Mediation Centre and it is the appellant or her parents to

whom the child would be returned after the conclusion of visitation. The fact that

the child has been in the care of the appellant and her parents is also evident

from the order of the High Court dated 9 July 2018.

16 During the course of the interaction on the video-conferencing platform,

Sattik indicated his desire to reside with his mother in Singapore. While the child

is attached to the respondent, he has indicated, in no uncertain terms, his desire

to live with his mother. The appellant is gainfully employed in Singapore and her

desire that she should be allowed to take the child with her is not an artifice. The

appellant, as the mother of the child, has been continuously with the child since

his birth, despite the demands of her employment.

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17 The child is likely to be admitted to the Global Indian International School

in Singapore. Ms Meenakshi Arora, learned Senior Counsel, has stated that the

appellant would abide by the requirements entailed in travelling between India

and Singapore during the pandemic. Learned Senior Counsel stated that on

arrival in Singapore, at the present time, the appellant and the child would be

required to spend 14 days together in an isolation facility. The Court has been

apprised of the fact that the employers of the appellant have informed her that

they would facilitate the documentation for travel and relocation of the child with

the appellant in Singapore.

18 In matters such as the present, the welfare of the minor child is of

Constitution is a facilitative constitutional instrument to advance substantive

justice. In exercise of these powers, we are of the view that the arrangement

which has been arrived at during the pendency of the proceedings should be

modified so as to best subserve the interests of the child. The technicality of

whether or not the appellant has challenged the Family Court’s order dated 1

March 2018 cannot obfuscate the core issue which is the welfare of the child.

Allowing this case to be lost in a maze of technicalities involving a formal

challenge to the order, will eventually lead to the child staying in Bengaluru with

the maternal grandparents, while the mother is employed in Singapore. The child

will lose a year of education in Singapore, which is an additional reason for the

Covid free and the child would be able to attend regular school and some on-line

classes. Undoubtedly, the respondent, as the father, is entitled to have adequate

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rights of access and visitation. A balance has to be drawn so as to ensure that in

a situation where the parents are in a conflict, the child has a sense of security.

The interests of the child are best subserved by ensuring that both the parents

have a presence in his upbringing.

19 Ms Meenakshi Arora has submitted that the respondent has made no

contribution for the maintenance of the child. On the other hand, the respondent

in the course of his submissions, stated that he is bearing the expenses of

servicing the loan which was undertaken by the parties for obtaining a residential

flat in joint names. Be that as it may, we are of the view that the interests of the

child require that the appellant be allowed to take the child with her to Singapore,

where the appellant resides. At the same time, the ultimate directions that the

Court issues must also address the apprehension of the respondent that the child

should not be placed outside the control and jurisdiction of the Family Court,

Bengaluru. Adequate arrangements for access and visitation to the respondent

should be ensured.

20 For the above reasons, we allow the appeals, in terms of the following

directions:

(i) The impugned judgment and order of the High Court dated 11 July 2019

is set aside;

(ii) The appellant is permitted to take the child, Sattik, with her to Singapore

where she is employed and resides;

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(iii) The appellant is permitted to make suitable arrangements to facilitate the

travel to and admission of the child in a school in Singapore;

(iv) The respondent shall, within a period of 48 hours from the receipt of this

judgment, handover the passport of the child to the appellant;

(v) The appellant shall be exclusively entitled to take necessary steps for

renewing the passport of the child or, if required, for obtaining a fresh

passport in his name;

(vi) Should the appellant be required to relocate for employment outside

Singapore, to any other country (except India) necessitating the relocation

of Sattik, she shall file a miscellaneous application before this Court

seeking prior permission to do so;

(vii) In order to facilitate the grant of access and visitation rights to the

respondent, the following arrangement shall hold the field in supersession

of all previous orders of the Family Court and the High Court:

(a) The respondent would be at liberty to engage with the child on a

suitable video-conferencing platform for one hour each on every

Saturday and Sunday and for five to ten minutes on other days;

(b) Should the respondent desire to travel to Singapore during the

school vacations of Sattik, he would be entitled to have visitation

rights over half of the vacation between 10 am and 6 pm. He may
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meet the child on any other day subject to the mutual convenience

of the parties and the child;

(c) The appellant will ensure the presence of the child in Bengaluru

during the course of the child’s summer vacations in 2021 for a

period of at least two weeks with prior intimation to the respondent

and during the course of the visit, the respondent shall be entitled to

meet the child and/or take him out between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm;

(d) The appellant shall bring the child to India at least twice a year

during which the respondent shall have access to and visitation with

the child on the terms set out in (c) above;

(e) The appellant shall file an undertaking before this Court to abide by

the conditions imposed by this order. The undertaking shall

specifically provide that the appellant shall (i) not relocate the child

to any other country, unless permitted by this Court; (ii) ensure the

presence of the child during the summer vacations of 2021 unless

prevented by the travel restrictions imposed by the government of

either country; and (iii) furnish the contact details of the child in

Singapore to the respondent. Clarified that (e)(i) above shall not

prevent the appellant from taking the child out for holidays outside

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Singapore. A copy of the undertaking shall be placed on the record

of the Family Court.

21 The above arrangement shall continue to govern, subject to the final

orders as may be passed in the Guardianship proceedings which have been, or

may be instituted, by either of the parties.

22 The appeals are accordingly disposed of.

23 Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

…….………….…………………………………………J.
[Dr. Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud]

…….…………………………………………………….J.
[Indu Malhotra]

…….…………………………………………………….J.
[Indira Banerjee]

New Delhi;

October 28, 2020.

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