Gujarat High Court Intervenes to Reunite Twins with Mother in Custody Battle
In a dramatic turn of events, 2.5-year-old twins were successfully reunited with their mother after the Gujarat High Court intervened in a contentious custody dispute. The father was prevented from taking the children to Australia by police at Jaipur airport, following a habeas corpus petition filed by the mother through advocate Mehul Mehta.
Background of the Family Dispute
According to case details, the couple, originally from Australia, arrived in India in November 2025. The mother, an Indian citizen, moved to her paternal home in Bhavnagar with the children. After marital discord escalated, the father took the children away, prompting the mother to fear permanent separation if they were taken abroad. She alerted authorities, leading to police intervention at Jaipur airport in January, where the father was stopped while attempting to fly to Australia with the twins.
Legal Proceedings and Court Orders
The mother's petition in the Gujarat High Court resulted in judges ordering the children to be brought before the court. In response, the father voluntarily handed over custody to his wife. During a hearing on Wednesday, both parties filed separate affidavits, confirming they had settled the dispute. The agreement grants the father and grandparents unlimited visitation rights, while the children will continue to reside with their mother.
The court issued specific directives:
- The police were ordered to secure the children's passports from the father and transfer them to the mother.
- The High Court emphasized that the couple should resolve their disputes in the best interest of their children.
Judicial Emphasis on Child Welfare
The bench expressed hope for an amicable resolution, stating, "We hope and pray that the petitioner (wife) and the 4th respondent (husband) find a means to resolve their marital dispute in order to ensure the future of their children." This case highlights the judiciary's role in safeguarding child welfare amidst family conflicts, setting a precedent for similar custody battles in India.
