Overview

• The Bombay High Court dismissed multiple habeas corpus petitions, underscoring that child welfare and expressed preferences are central to custody decisions.
• The Court ruled that habeas corpus is a summary remedy unsuitable for detailed custody evaluations, directing parties to pursue family court proceedings for comprehensive rulings.
• In one case, custody of a 10-year-old boy remained with his father after the child expressed a clear preference to stay with him, citing fear of separation.
• The Court upheld a mother's custody of her three-year-old daughter, rejecting claims that her profession as a social media influencer posed harm to the child, while maintaining restrictions on international travel without permission.
• Judges reaffirmed that factors like religion, parental lifestyle, or personal laws cannot override the welfare of the child, aligning with secular legal principles and international child rights standards.