Delhi High Court: A Bench of Jyoti Singh and G.S. Sistani, JJ., dismissed an appeal filed against the order of the family court whereby it directed that interim custody of the 11 years old girl remained with the respondent-father for four days and with the appellant-mother for three days in a week.
The appellant appearing in person sought modification of the order on the ground that the respondent was a sexually abusive father and she sought to produce a video recording to that effect. Per contra, the respondent appearing in person with Yidhishter Sharma and Nishant Sharma, Advocates denied the allegations and instead stated that the appellant was suffering from mental illness.
The High Court endorsed the view of the family court that both the parties had equal rights over the child. It was noted that the video recording did not prima facie support the allegations made by the appellant. It was also noted that the child was counselled by three independent counsellors and the reports stated that the child was happy and wished to live with her father. It was observed, “The Apex Court, as well as this court, has repeatedly held that where the parties are not able to resolve their differences and stay together, then shared parenting is the best formula to bring up a child.” Everything considered, the Court was of the opinion that there was no occasion to interfere with the impugned order of custodial arrangement. [DSG v. AKG, 2019 SCC OnLine Del 7767, decided on 26-03-2019]
Parenting has to be shared between the parents equally to the entire satisfaction, health, happiness, harmony, wellness, and welfare of the child/children for their balanced and holistic growth and development.
Whereas it is a bitter truth that marriage means a compromise in the literal sense and practice and there can be no couple in the world who during their married life lived without differences or discomfort with time. They are bound to prevail. Wisdom lies in adjustment, accommodation, and compromise for the sake of children who have been brought to the world due to their marriage. The parents have to serve as role models to their children not by fighting but by a spirit of adjustment and compromise. I welcome the order the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi.