JUDGEMENT
K.KANNAN, J. -
(1.) THE appeal is against the order in the application
filed by the father in a matrimonial proceeding initiated by the wife for
divorce. It is rather strange that the father, who had the custody of the
child, moved an application seeking for direction as regards interim
order and wanted that the child must be taken care of by the mother. The
mother contested in the petition by saying that she has no resources and
she, therefore, cannot take care of the child. It is stated by the
counsel for the husband that the interim maintenance has been awarded in
favour of the wife at Rs. 2,000/- per month and that his client is also
paying the same. The counsel states that the application could not have
been dismissed without a full-fledged enquiry regarding the issue
relating to the welfare of the child. He states that since he has to take
the burden of bringing up the child, he has not been able to attend his
office and, therefore, he has been removed from service.
(2.) PROCEEDINGS for interim maintenance or interim custody under Section 24 or 26 are summary in character and there is no need for a full-fledged trial as the counsel would plead for. It could be different in petitions
filed under the Guardian & Wards Act under Section 25 seeking for custody
where the petition itself could be the principal contention between the
parties. The proceeding for custody in matrimonial proceedings under the
Hindu Marriage Act would not be required to be dealt with in the same
fashion as might be necessary for petition under Section 25 of the
Guardian & Wards Act.
I will not find any error in the summary rejection of the petition. Any matter relating to the orders passed in custody jurisdiction, there
is no finality except as regards the matter specifically dealt with. The
welfare consideration will be dependent on several factors such as, the
educational requirement of a child, special requirements of care, the
nature of attention that a particular child might require etc. Neither
party shall be fettered by the order already passed on 13.06.2005 and it
shall be perfectly possible for any one of the parties to seek for
appropriate directions as regards the custody of the child by setting out
any new facts that may become necessary. It shall make possible even for
the mother to claim custody of the child from her husband if she so
pleases and if she proves change of circumstances.
(3.) THE appeal is dismissed with the above observations.;
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