TEAM CODE: 011
BEFORE THE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA INDIA
(UNDER ART. 136 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA) W.A.(CIVI W.A.(CIVIL) L) NO:
OF 2015
In the !tte" #$: Saritha Paramshetti Paramshetti
Appellant
V.
Raman Sundar Sundar & Anr
Respondents
MEMORIAL ON BEHALF OF THE APPELLANTS
On %&'%%#n
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBJECT
PAGE NO
LIST OF A++REVIATIONS
3-
INDE/ OF AUTHORITIES A. LIST OF +OOS REFERRED
5
+. LIST OF STATUTES REFERRED
5
C. LIST OF OURNALS REFERRED
6
D. LIST OF WE+SITES REFERRED
6
E. LIST OF RE,ORTS RE,ORTS REFERRED
6
LIST OF CASES REFERRED
-
STATE*ENT STATE*ENT OF URISDICTION URISDIC TION
4
STATE*ENT OF FACTS
10
STATE*ENT OF ISSUES
11
SU**AR OF ARU*ENTS
11
ARU*ENTS ADVANCED
12
,RAER
24
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
2
LIST OF ABBREVATIONS ABBREVATIONS
EDN
EDITION
AIR
ALL INDIA RE,ORTER
ART.
ARTICLE
C..
CHIEF USTICE
C".,.C C".,.C
CODE OF CRI*INAL ,ROCEDURE ,ROCED URE
D,S,
DIRECTIVE DIRECTIV E ,RINCI,LE ,RINCI,L E OF STATE STATE ,OLIC
HON7+LE
HONOURA+LE
ICC,R
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CONVENT ION ON CIVIL AND ,OLITICAL ,OLITICA L RIHTS
UDHR
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON HU*AN RIHTS
I.,.C. I.,.C.
INDIAN ,ENAL CODE
ANR
ANOTHER
ORS.
OTHERS
S.
SECTION
SC
SU,RE*E COURT
HC
HIH COURT
SCALE
SU,RE*E COURT AL*ANAC
SCC
SU,RE*E COURT CASES
St.
STATE STATE
8.
VERSUS
NO.
NU*+ER
,ARA
,ARARA,H
C ,C
CIVIL ,ROCEDURE CODE
H*A
HINDU *ARRIAES ACT
H*A
HINDU *I *INORIT AND U UARDIANSHI, ACT
WA
UARDIANS AND WARDS ACT
U
UNITED INDO*
TN
TA*IL NADU
ACHR
A*ERICAN CONVENTION ON HU*AN RIHTS *E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
3
,N
,RINCI,LES OF NATURAL USTICE
DRC
DECLARATION ON RIHTS OF CHILD
ICESR CESR
INT INTER ERNA NAT TIONA IONAL L CONVE ONVENT NTIION ON ECO ECONO*I NO*IC CAL AND SOCI SOCIAL AL RIHTS
UNCR UNCRC C
UNI UNITE TED D NA NATIONS ONS CON CONVE VENT NTIION ON RIH RIHT TS OF OF CHI CHIL LD
FR
FUNDA*ENTAL RIHTS
CEDAW CEDAW CONVENTIO CONVENTION N ON THE ELI*IN ELI*INA ATION OF ALL FOR*S OFDISCRI*INATION AAINST WO*EN U.S.A
UNITED STATES OF A*ERICA
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
4
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES A. LIST OF BOO BOOKS KS REFE REFERRE RRED: D:
D.D.+ASU- SHORTER CONSTITUTION OF INDIA- LE/IS NE/IS WADHWA
NA,UR- 1TH EDN. (2004). ARVIND. , .DATAR.DATAR- DATAR DATAR ON CONSTITUTION CONSTITU TION OF INDIAIN DIA- WADHWA ADHWA 9CO
NA,UR- EDN (2001). V.N.SHULA- CONSTITUTION OF INDIA- EASTERN +OO CO- 12TH EDN. ,.*.+ASHI- THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA- UNIVERSAL LAW ,U+LISHIN CO. 12TH EDN(2013). O/FORD DICTIONAR-O/FORD UNIVERSIT ,RESS. CHESHIRE CHESHI RE AND NORTHN ORTH- ,RIVATE ,RIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAWLAW- O/FORD- 13THEDN. DICE-*ORRIS AND COLLINS- THE CONFLICT OF LAWS- SWEET AND
*A/WELL- 1THEDN. *ULLA- THE CODE OF CIVIL ,ROCEDURE- LE/IS NE/IS- 16THEDN. ,ARAS DIWAN LAW OF ADO,TION AND UARDIANSHI,- UNIVERSAL
,U+LISHERS-TH EDN. U*UD DESAI- INDIAN LAW OF *ARRIAE AND DIVORCE-WADHA
,U+LISHERS- TH EDN. DAVI DAVID.H.VER*OND.H.VER*ON- LOUSIE WEIN+ER- WILLIA* L. RENOLDS- WILLIA*
R. RICH*AN- CONFLICT OF LAWS- LE/IS NE/IS- 2 ND EDN.
B. LIST OF STATUES REFERRED:
1. THE CONSTI CONSTITUT TUTION ION OF INDI INDIAA- 1450 1450.. 2. THE CODE CODE OF CIVIL CIVIL ,ROCED ,ROCEDURE URE-- 140. 140. 3. HINDU *INORITIE *INORITIES S AND AND UARDIANS UARDIANSHI, HI, ACTACT- 1456. 1456. . HINDU HINDU *ARRIA *ARRIAES ES ACT ACT- 1455. 1455. 5. UARDI UARDIANS ANS AND AND WA WARDS ACT ACT-- 140. 140.
C. LIST OF JOURNALS REFERRED:
1. ALL INDIA INDIA RE,OR RE,ORTE TER R (AIR (AIR)) 2. SU,R SU,RE* E*E E COURT COURT CASE CASES S (SCC) (SCC)
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
5
3. SU,RE* SU,RE*E E COURT COURT AL*AN AL*ANAC AC (SCA (SCALE) LE) . CRI*IN CRI*INAL AL LA LAW OUR OURNAL NAL (C". (C". L.) L.) 5. SU,RE* SU,RE*E E COURT COURT CASES CASES CRI*INA CRI*INAL(S L(SCC( CC(C" C")) )) 6. SU,RE* SU,RE*E E COURT COURT RE,OR RE,ORTE TER(S R(SCR) CR)
D. LIST OF WEBSITES REFERRED:
1. .!n& .!n&;! ;!t" t"!. !.<# <# 2. .%<<# %<<#n= n=n ne. e.<# <# 3. .n>! n>!=! =!% %t te. e.<# <# . .n>! n>!n? n?!n !n##n ##n.# .#"@ "@ 5. .=e@!=%e"8
!.<# 6. .=!< =!<#" #"ne ne== ==.< .<# #
E. LIST OF REPORTS REFERRED:
1. LAW LAW CO**I CO**ISSI SSION ON RE,OR RE,ORT TS
TABLE OF CASES INDIAN CASE LAWS
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
6
S.N
CAUSE TITLE
CITATION
O
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
7
1.
S!t! S!t! 8. TeB! eB! %n@h %n@h
(145) (145) 1 SCC 120
2.
R&
(2011 (2011)) 6 SCC 4
3.
Dh!n! Dh!n!nt nt #%h #%h 8 *!>h!8 *!>h!8 Un>e Un>e
(144) (144) 1 SCC 112. 112.
.
&=>; &=>; N!!" N!!" 9 O"% 8 Un#n Un#n O$ In>! In>! 9 O"%
(2006) (2006) SCC 1
5.
E=!'e E=!'eth th Dn%h! Dn%h! 8. A"8!n> A"8!n> *. Dn%h! Dn%h!
(14) (14)1 1 SCC 2.
6.
S&"! V!>!n!n 8. St #$ TN
(2015) 5 SCC 50
.
*S Inte"n!t#n Inte"n!t#n!= != ##=en ==% ==% 8. *S St!n>!"> St!n>!"> W##= ##= =t>
(2001) 5 SCC 265
.
.N!"!%hh! R!# 8. .Ven?!t! L!?%h
(1441) 3 SCC 51
4.
,##n! ,##n! D!tt! D!tt! 8. "%hn "%hn!! L!= D!tt! D!tt!
144 144 S&;;(1 S&;;(1)) SCC 5
10. S!"t! S!"t! Sh!"! 8. S&%h= S&%h= &!" Sh!"!
(2000)3 (2000)3 SCC 1
11. R! R!8"!n 8. UOI
(2010) 1 SCC 1
12. N!t#n!= Le@!= %e"8
(201) 5 SCC 3
13. A.D.*.!'!=;&" 8. S.Sh&?=!
(146) 5 SCC 521
1. e%!8!n!n>! +h!"!t 8. St!te #$ e"!=!
(143) SCC 225
15. A" In>! 8. Ne"@e%h Ne"@e%h *ee"! *ee"!
(141) SCC 335
16. *&n<;!= *&n<;!= C#";#"!t#n C#";#"!t#n #$ De=h 8. Fe!=e Fe!=e W#" W#"?e"% ?e"%
(2000)3SCC 22
(*&%te" R#==) 9 An" 1. R!n>h" R!n>h" Sn@h 8. UOI
(142) 1 SCC 61
1. *!>h& %h!" 9 O"% 8. St. #$ +h!"
(1446) 5 SCC 125
14. V%h!?! 8. St #$ R!B!%th!n
(144) 6 SCC 21
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
8
20. An&B !"@ 8. H#te=% A%%#<!t#n #$ In>!
(200) 3 SCC 1
21. 21. th th!! H!" H!"h h!" !"!n !n 9 An" 8. Re%e Re%e"8 "8ee +!n +!n? ? #$ #$ In> In>! ! 9 An"
(144 (1444) 4) 2 SCC SCC 2 2
22. A.,. A@@!"!= 8. #8t. #$ NCT #$ De=h 9 An".
(2000)1 SCC 600
23. E.,. R#!;;! 8. St!te #$ T!= N!>& 9 An".
(14) SCC 3
2. A.L. !="! 8. ,"#Be E&;ent C#"; Lt>
(14) 3 SCC 316
25. R.. !"@ 8. Un#n #$ In>! 9 O"%
(141) SCC 65
26. Re The S;e<!= C#&"t% +== 14
(144) 1 SCC 30
2. 2. AB! H! H!%! 9 O"% 8. 8. h!=> *& *&B' Se Seh"!8!" 8!"> 9 O"%.
(141 41) 1 SCC 2 22
HIGH COURT CASES: S.N
CAUSE TITLE
CITATION CITATION
O 1. 2. 3. . !. ". #. $.
S#n>&" R!Bn 8 S#n>&" #;!= W!" W! " S!h& 8%. *&n%h D!% S8!@!n!th! ,==! 8%. .N!t!"!B! ,==! R!B!"!thn! 8%. *&th&%! !n@!n *#h!e> !% 8. Seen ,!?" +n Ahe> A;!"n! +!ne"Bee 8. T!;!n T!;!n +!ne"Bee +h!@!=!?%h 9 An" 8. .N. N!"!!n! R!# R.S">h!"!n 8. The ,"e%>n@ O$$
2005 () *!h L.. 6. AIR 141 ,!t 104 AIR 1461 *!> 35 AIR 145 *!> 203 AIR 142 *!> 265 AIR 146 ,9H 113 AIR 143 *!> 4 (2010) CTC 22.
FOREIGN CASE LAWS: S.N
CAUSE TITLE
CITATION
O 1. 2. 3.
e"n#t 8. e"n#t *<ee 8%. *<ee L.(n#"%) "e
1465 Ch 21 1451 1 A== ER 42 14 1 WLR 250
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
9
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
Th% "t !;;e!= $=e> !t the n%t!n!- n8#=8e% &e%t#nn@ the <#n%tt&t#n!= 8!=>t #$ Se t# the !nt!n!'=t #$ ! >8#" !n nte" <&%t#> A;;= ' S!"th!. It !=%# "!%e% the &e%t#n th "e@!"> t# the en$#"e" n In>!. Th% C#&"t 'en@ the C%)+*,) ,- *( F%&'+/(&*+ R* 4(*(' 5* 6%)'7*,& *, (&*()*+& * 5)* +88(+ %&'() A)* 13".
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
10
STATEMENT STATEMENT OF FACTS •
R!!n S&n>!"- ! Hn>& %<ent%t $"# +!n@!=#"e B#ne> ! Un8e"%t n Te!%- USA !$te" <#;=etn@ h% ,h.D. n In>! !n> %##n !<&"e> US <ten%h;. He !""e> S!"th! ! Hn>& %#$t!"e en@nee" $"# *%&"& #n &ne 1444. The ne= !""e> <#&;=e !$te" %;en>n@ th"ee #nth% n In>! =e$t $#" the USA US A he"e %he %##n !<&"e> <ten%h;. The h!> t# "en N"!= ! '# '#"n n 2001 !n> *e@h!n! ! @"= '#"n n 2005 n USA.
•
The" !""!@e %t!"te> >ete"#"!tn@ ' &ne 2010. The "en $e=t the !=en!t#n #$ the" $!the" h# t##? t# !=<#h#=. In h% ne'"!te> %t!te R!!n #&=> 8e"'!== !'&%e h% $e !n> he" ;!"ent%. She '#"e the ==t"e!tent %=ent= n #">e" t# %!8e the !""!@e.
•
In O !$te" ! ee? h=e S!"th! !n> the "en %t!e> 'ehn>. The ;!"ent% $#&n> #&t !'#&t the %t!te #$ !$$!"%. A$te" & R!!n #$ he" >e<%#n t# %t! '!. R!!n "et&"ne> t# In>! !;#=#@%e> !n> @#t '!> n#t ;"#8e h S!"th! t# #8e '!tte> he" "en n ! =#
•
In >&e <#&"%e %he $=e> ! ;ett#n $#" >8#"e"e> $#" %%&e #$ n#t ! ;ett#n n USA $#" the <&%t#> #$ h% "en <#nten>n@ th!t the e"e US <ten% !n> he !% the" @&!">!n %# t !% n the" 'e%t nte"e%t t# "et&"n t# USA- he $&"the" $=e> ! ;ett#n $#" "e%tt&t#n #$ <#nB&@!= "@ht%. S!"th! =!te" "e ! <&%t#> #">e" $"# US C#&"t h. In O the !"n!t!?! HC $#" ! "t t# 'e %%&e> t# h!n> #8e" the *E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
11
"en. S!"th! <#nte%te> th!t the #">e" #$ the US C#&"t !% ;!%%e> th#&t he!"n@ he" !n> th&% !% n#t 'n>n@ !n> th!t %he "e!ne> the "@ht$&= @&!">!n n In>!. She then #8e> the *%&"& F!= C#&"t $#" !n nte" #">e" t# "et!n <&%t#> !n> R!!n "e ! ee"@en< n#t
Re@!"> Re@ !">n@ n@ the $!t $!the"7 he"7%% "@ "@ht ht #$ <&% <&%t#> t#>-- S!" S!"th th!! !% !>8%e> !>8%e> t# $= $=ee ! W" W"t t ,et ,ett t#n #n t Se<.6 G! #$ H*A 1456. The HC he=> th!t the $!the" % n!t&"!= @&!">!n #$ n#"% the #">e" #$ US <#&"t h!% t# 'e en$#" n In>! !n> &;he=> the <#n%tt&t#n!=t <#n%tt&t#n!=t..
•
S!"th! n# !;;"#!@ent <#nt #$ the !$#"eent#ne> ;"#8%#n% !n> !=%# the %<#;e #$ #'e>en! t# the #">e" ;!%%e> ' the US C#&"t !n> $&"the" he" "@ht !% ! @&!">!n. R!!n <#nte%te> th!t the !"n!t!?! HC #">e" !% 8!=>. ,&"%&!nt t# the n#t- the UOI !=%# >e$en>e> the <#n%tt&t#n!=t #$ the ;&@ne> ;"#8%#n%.
STATEMENT OF ISSUES 19 WHETHER WHETHER THE DIVORCE DIVORCE PETITION AND AND PARTI PARTICULARL CULARL THE THE INTERIM APPLICATION APPLICATION FOR THE CUSTOD OF THE CHILDREN FILED B SARITHA IN THE FAMIL COURT AT MSURU ARE MAINTAINABLE; 29 WHETHER WHETHER THE ORDER ORDER OF THE US COURT COURT IS ENFORCEAB ENFORCEABLE LE IN INDIA; INDIA; 39 WHETHER WHETHER S."<+9 OF THE HINDU HINDU MINORIT MINORIT AND AND GUARDIANSHIP GUARDIANSHIP ACT= ACT= 1>!" IS CONSTITUTIONALL VALID; 9 WHETHER WHETHER THE CUSTOD CUSTOD OF THE CHILDREN CHILDREN BELONG BELONGS S TO THE THE MOTHER; SUMMAR OF ISSUES: 1
It % h&'= %&'tte> th!t the ;ett#ne"7% <=! % !nt!n!'=e 'e$#"e the C#&"t% nIn>!. The ,ett#n % !nt!n!'=e &n>e" the B&"%>! '!%e> #n the #">n!" "e%>en the &n>%;&t!'=e $!& C#>e7% en$#"e;en>% &;#n the "e=@#n n#t te""t#". te""t#". *E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
12
2
It % h&'= %&'tte> th!t the USA C#&"t7% #">e" % n#t en$#"! !% t $!==% thn the ee" ;!%%e> ' the US C#&"t % n#t '!%e> #n e"t% !n> % n 8#=!t#n th the @ene"!= ;"n<;=e% #$ Inte"n!t#n!= =!. It It % !=%# %&'tte> th!t the"e h!% 'een 8#=!t#n #$ ,"n<;=e% #$ N!t&"!= &%t the nte"e%t #$ Ch=>"en h!% n#t 'een t!?en
3
nt# !<<#&nt 'e$#"e the US C#&"t ;!%%e> the #">e". It % h&'= %&'tte> th!t S.6 (!) #$ the Hn>& *n#"t !n> &!">!n%h; A !% the"e % &ne&8# 15. The"e h!% !=%# 'een #&t"@ht n$"n@eent #$ R&=e #$ =! !% the
<=!%%$e &n>e" S.6(!) % &n"e!%#n!'=e !n> !"'t"!". The <&%t#> #$ the "en %h#&=> 'e @8en t# the #the"- t!?n@ nt# !<<#&nt the nte"e%t #$ the "en. Whene8e" >e='e"!t#n% !"e !>e "e@!">n@ <&%t#> #$ "en- the C#&"t% @8e ;!"!#&nt <#n%>e"!t#n t# the nte"e%t #$ the "en.It ' t!?n@ nt# !<<#&nt the e<#n#<- <&=t&"!= !n> %#<!= <#n>t#n% th!t !"e ;"e8!=n@. ARGUMENTS ADVANCED 1. MAINTAINABILIT OF THE PETITION BEFORE FAMIL COURT AT MSURU: 1.1.INDISPUTABLE INHABITANCE INHABITANCE OF JURISDICTION OF INDIAN COURTS:
The e%tenB&> e> t# t. +=! +=!e$ >e$ne ne%% J& J&"% "%> !&t !&th#" h#"t t <#n%tt&t#n!== <#n$e""e> &;#n ! C#&"t #" &>@e t# ;"#n#&ne e<%#n%- th% H#n7'=e C#&"t h!% &;he=> t% B&"%>B&>%;&te% n8#=8n@ ;e#;=e #$ >$$e"ent n!t#n!=te% !n> <ten%h;%. The <#ne"n@ B&%tn@ %%&e% #$ #the" <ten% % n#t ! ne ;hen#en#n. Th% C#&"t h!% he!"> %&!"? B&>@eent #$ R%7M+6,, 4.S+&6((4M+6,, 3 h!% :
1S!t! 8. TeB! Sn@h (145) 1 SCC 120. 2R&
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
13
“ A Court Court that has no jurisdiction jurisdiction to entertain a petition petition for custody cannot cannot pass any order or issue any direction for the return of the child to the country from where he has been removed no matter such removal is found to be in violation of an order issued by a Court in that country. !he party a""rieved of such removal may see# any other remedy le"ally open to it. $ut no redress to such a party will be permissible permissible before the the Court who finds finds that it it has no jurisdiction jurisdiction to to entertain the proceedin"s.%
“Afte “Afterr referr referrin in" " to the previo previous us decis decision ionss vi'. vi'. (i) Satya Satya v. !eja Sin"h Sin"h (ii) *hanwanti (ii) *hanwanti
+oshi
v.,adhav-nde v.,adhav-nde (iii) (iii) Sarita
Sharma
v.
Sushil
Sharma (iv) Sharma (iv) V.Ravichandran V.Ravichandran v. -nion of ndia and (v) Shilpa (v) Shilpa A""arwal v. Aviral ,ittal ....the Court held that unless the Court in ndia before which a proceedin" proceedin" is brou"ht brou"ht had the jurisdiction jurisdiction to entertain entertain it it cannot even order the return of the child to the country from where the child was removed.%
1.1.1. MAINTAINABILIT MAINTAINABILIT OF DIVORCE PETITION:
The B&"%>& C#>e eten>% #n the '!%% #$ "e=@#n %#=e=. Th% ' nte";"et!t#n #$ S.2 #$ the H*A. On !n eten%8e "e!>n@ #$ the H*A- t th!t the !;;=#e% n#t &t=e te""t#" #" <ten%h; !% ! !">%t% t% B&"%>% th!t the <#n ;!"te% $!== thn the !'t #$ ! KHn>& !% >e$ne> > e$ne> &n>e" the H*A. In the the D+&5+&* * J, 4. 4.M+'+4U M+'+4U&'( &'( - the H#n7'=e !$#"e%!> ;"n<;=e.H@h C#&"t% h!8e !=%# !'>e> ' th% ;"n<;=e n the $#==#n@ n%t!n:
4Dh!n!nt #%h 8. *!>h!8Un>e (144)1 SCC 112. S#n>&"#;!= 2005 () *!h L.. 6. 5S#n>&"R!Bn 8. S#n>&"#;!=
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
14
K!he marria"e was solemni'ed by the /indu Vedic rites and re"istered under /indu ,arria"e Act. t may be noticed that none of the provision provisionss of /indu ,arria"e Act lay down the time and condition under which it will cease to apply. n other words once the provisions of /indu ,arria"e Act apply it would continue to apply as lon" as the marria"e e0ists and even for dissolution of the marria"e.%
In R.S)'+)+& 4. T( P)('& O--7() " the *!>"!% H@h C#&"t he=>: “!he /indu ,arria"e Act does not stipulate any strin"ent condition that both parties should be residin" within or domiciled in the jurisdicti jurisdiction on of ndia for maintainin" a petition under the /indu ,arria"e Act. n fact it covers all /indus who are are residin" residin" outside the territory territory to which this act e0tends.% e0tends.%
S.2 #$ the H*A 1455- >e!=n@ th the !;;=#e% n#t >e=t t% %<#;e '!%e> #n the <ten%h;. S.2 "e!> !=#n@ the =ne% #$ S.14 >#e% n#t !n>!te the "e&"eent #$ <ten%h; n #">e" t# $=e ! ;ett#n n the C#&"t $#" "e>"e%%!= #$ %%&e% '#"n #&t #$ H*A. +e!"n@ n n> S.2 "e!> th S.14() !n> S.14(!)- the >8#" ' S!"th! % !nt!n!'=e 'e$#"e the F!= L! C#&"t !t *%&"&. 1.1.2.MAINTAINABILIT OF THE INTERIM APPLICATION APPLICATION FOR THE CUSTOD OF CHILDREN: 1.1.2.1. ORDINAR RESIDENCE PRINCIPLE:
S.2 #$ the H*A ;"#8>e% th!t the ;"#8%#n% #$ the A>t#n t#- !n> n#t >e"#@!t#" #$ the ;"#8%#n% #$ the WAWA- 140. Th% ;"#8%#n- th&% 'e%t#% the "@ht #$ !;;= n the =@ht% #$ S.2 #$ the H*A- %t!te% th!t the B&"%>e;en>% #n the #">n!" "e%>en% t# the B&"%> #$ ! n#". 12. Court havin" jurisdiction to entertain application 3
O$$h!"!n 8. The ,"e%>n@ O$$
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
15
(4)f the application is with respect to the "uardianship of the person of the minor it shall be made to the *istrict Court havin" +urisdiction in the place where the minor ordinarily resides.1
It % e8>ent $"# ! '!"e "e!>n@ #$ # $ the !'#8e th!t the %#=t!" te%t $#" >ete"nn@ the B&"%>e" S.4 #$ the An!" "e%>en % Whe"e the n#" #">n!"= "e%>e%. In K%'8N+?+)@O). 4. U&,& ,- I&'+ @O) #.- the e;"e%%#n e;"e%%#n #">n!" #">n!" "e%>enen n the R,A- 1450 $e== $#" nte";"et!t#n. Th% C#&"t #'%e"8e>: 15e0icon refers to Cicutti v. Suffol# County Council (4267) 8 All 9R :62 to denote that the word 1ordinarily1 is primarily directed not to duration but to purpose. n this sense the ;uestion is not so much where the person is to be found 1ordinarily1 1ordinarily1 in the sense of usually or habitually and with some de"ree of continuity but whether the ;uality of residence is 1ordinary1 and "eneral rather than merely for some special or limited purpose.% R%7M+6,, 6,, 4. S+&6((4 S+&6((4M+6, M+6,, , $- the In the e> the the
nte";"et!t#n #$ the te" J#">n!" "e%>ent7 !% en&n<!te> ' the H#n7'=e HC n 8!"#&% n%t!n the &e%t#n hethe" #ne % #">n!"= "e%>n@ !t ! @8en ;=!e;en>% %# &n!" #">n!" !'#>e. “!he “!he juri jurisd sdic icti tion on of the the Cour Courtt un unde derr the the
+ !>ttn@ he" "en n ! % !tte;tn@ t# n<&= he" ntent#n #$
7&=>;N!!"9O"% 8 Un#n O$ In>! 9O"% (2006) SCC 1. 8R& 4- A;!"n! +!ne"Bee 8. T!;!n +!ne"Bee AIR 146 ,9H 113.
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
16
"e%>n@ n *%&"&.Th&%- the ;ett#n 'e$#"e the D%t" ' the ,ett#ne" % !nt!n!'=e !% %he % !n #">n!" "e%>ent #$ the ;=!
In E+(* D&+5 4. A)4+&' M. D&+5 10 the SC- he=>: “=henever a ;uestion arises before a court pertainin" to the custody of a minor child matter is to be decided not on considerations of the le"al ri"hts of the parties but on the sole and predomin predominant ant criterion of what would best serve the interest of the minor.%
It % %@n$ the ;ett#n t# U %&'%t!nt!tn@ th!t #n= U C#&"t% h!8e B&"%>B&>%<&%%#n th the "en <#n<=&>e> th!t t% 'e%t $#" the nte"e%t #$ the "en t# >e<>e the ! !n> n# the ;ett#ne" %t!n>% 'e$#"e the C#'!t#"e D%t"
A ;e"%#n h# !;;e!"% n "e%;#n%e t# ! %&#n% #$ ! $#"e@n C#&"t h!% 'een he=> t# h!8e 8#=&nt!"= %&'tte> t# the B&"%>
2.ORDER OF FOREIGN COURT IS NOT ENFORCEABLE: 2.1.PRINCIPLE OF TERRITORIAL SOVEREIGNT: SOVEREIGNT:
A B&>@ent >e=8e"e> n #ne <#&nt"- n the !'%en"e8>&!=% !n> !== ;"#;e"te% thn ! te""t#" #$ ! ;uid;uidest est in territor territorioes ioesetia etiam m de territor territorio io . The %t!te %t!te !"e thn thn t% t% >#n >#n#n #n !n> %! %!;uid;uid 10E=!'eth Dn%h! 8. A"8!n> *. Dn%h! (14)1 SCC 2. 11 S&"! V!>!n!n 8. St #$ TN 12Sh!=@"! 8. F" D!&=!t"!&>!n!=
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
17
&n<;!= C#&"t% !"e &n>e" ! <#n%tt&t#n!= <#;&=%#n t# @8e e$$e
The C,C h!% en&n<!te> the <#nn@ the en$#"@eent%. S.2 In th% A
S.13 #$ the C,C h!% en&e"!te> ! =%t #$ %@eent ! n#t 'e he=> <#n<=&%8e. S. 48? =hen =hen forei"n jud"ment jud"mentss are not conclusive@ conclusive@ A forei"n jud"ment shall be conclusi conclusive ve as to any matter thereby directly adjudicated upon between the same parties or between parties under whom they or any of them claim liti"atin" under the same title e0cept a.
=here it has not been pronounced by a Court of competent jurisdiction
b. =here it has not been "iven the merits of the case c.
=here it appears on the face of the proceedin"s to be founded on an
incorrect view of international law or a refusal to reco"ni'e the law of ndia in cases in which such law is applicable. d. =here the proceedin"s in which the jud"ment was obtained or opposed to natural justice e.
=here it has been obtained by fraud.
f.
=here it sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in ndia.
2.2.1.ORDER NOT GIVEN ON THE MERITS OF THE CASE
The $"%t @"#&n> #n h@ent % !%%!=e> % th!t t !% n#t @8en #n the e"t% #$ the ' the $!"!$t tet #$ the B&>@ent !% *E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
18
!< ' the F#"e@n C#&"t th#&t !n n>e;en>ent !;;=- e"e= 'e e;!"te t# the <#&nte" <=!. *#"e#8e"- the ;=!nt$$ <#nten>% th!t the"e % n# >%<&%%#n n the B&>@ent- #n the e"t% #$ the the e8>en. E8en ! B&>@ent "en>e"e> e ;!"te n In>!- % %&;;#%e> t# <#nt!n %#e >%<&%%#n #n the e"t%. +&t the"e % n# >%<&%%#n e8en #n the %%&e #$ nte"e%t !n> e=$!"e #$ the .The"e$#"e- t % the ;=!nt$$% <#ntent#n th!t the $#"e@n B&>@ent !% n#t "en>e"e> #n e"t%- !?n@ t 8&=ne"!'=e $#" !n !tt!e" S.13(') #$ C,C. M,+/(' K+/ K+/ 4. S(( S((&P+ &P+) ) B& A/(' 13- ("e$ In M,+/(' ("e$e" e""e "e> > t# ' the the S&;" S&;"e eee <#&" <#&"tt n
th % C#&"t he=> th!t ! $#"e@n B&>@ent @8en #n I&*()&+*,&+ W,,(& M 1)- ! F&== +ene$!&=t #$ !;;e!"!ne$en>!nt- #n the ;=!nt !==e@!t#n- th#&t !n t"!= #" e8>en@ent @8en #n the e"t% #$ the >e" e"n@ n@ the the %!> %!> >e< >e<% %#n #n #$ the the F&== F&== +en< +en he=> n R+6+)+*&+/ R+6+)+*&+/ 4. M%*%5+/K+&+ M%*%5+/K+&+& & 1!- th!t th#&@h ! $#"e@n B&>@ent @ht h!8e 'een
;!%%e> e ;!"te- the >e<%#n &%t 'e >eee> >ee e> t# 'e #n e"t%- $ t !% ;!%%e> #n ! <#n%>e"!t#n #$ the e8>enn@ 'n>n@ #n K.N+*+)+6+ P+ 1"-th!t ! >e<"ee #$ ! $#"e@n C#&"t- e8en $ ;!%%e> e ;!"tethe ;!"te% the"et# !n> == 'e <#n<=&%8e &n>e" S.13- $ t !% ;!%%e> #n the e8>en the >e<%#n !% #n <#n%>e"!t#n #$ the e8>en$$<&=t t# <#n<=&>e th!t the B&>@ent !% ;!%%e> !$te" <#n%>e"!t#n #$ $! e"t%. I&*()&+*,&+ W,,(& W,,(& M The S&;"ee C#&"t !;;"#8e> the 8e #$ the ,!tn! HC1n I&*()&+*,&+ C+(1$t# the e$$e #&t hethe" t !% #n e"t% #" n#t- % t# %ee $ t !%
>e=8e"e> !% ! !tte" #$ <#&"%e #" ' ! #$ ;en!=t $#" the n#n!;;e!"!ne$en>!nt. N# 13*#h!e> !% 8. Seen,!?" +n Ahe> AIR 142 *!> 265. 14*S Inte"n!t#n!= ##=en ==% 8. *S St!n>!"> W##= =t> (2001) 5 SCC 265 AIR 145 *!> 203. 15R!B!"!thn! 8%. *&th&%!!n@!n AIR
16S8!@!n!th! ,==! 8%. .N!t!"!B! ,==! AIR 1461 *!> 35. 17W!"S!h& 8%. *&n%h D!% AIR 141 ,!t 104.
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
19
>#&'t- t !% ;#nte> #&t the"en- th!t e"e= #n the '!%% #$ the ;"e%&;t#n &n>e" I==&%t"!t#n (e) #$ S.11 S.11 #$ #$ the E8>ene<"ee t# 'e #ne #n e"t%. Th#&@h !n e ;!"te >e<"ee ! 'e ! >e<"ee "e@&=!"= ;!%%e>- t ! %t== n#t 'e ! >e<"ee #n e"t%. A $#"e@n B&>@ent #&=> 'e t"e!te> !% #ne @8en #n e"t% $ %#e e8>en 'een !>>& #n 'eh!=$ #$ the ;=!nt$$ !n> $ the $#"e@n B&>@ent- h#e8e" '"e$- !% '!%e> #n ! <#n%>e"!t#n #$ th!t e8>enen>& #n the %>e #$ the ;=!nt$$ !n> et the C#&"t ;"#e> t# >e<"ee the %&t e"e= 'ee$e >e$en>! n>!nt nt-- eth ethe" e" ' ! #$ ;en!= ;en!=t t #" n ! $#" $#"!= != !nn !nne" e" th!t th!t the the B&>@ B&>@ent ent e"e> t# 'e #ne #n the e"t% #$ the @ent !% n#t "en>e"e> #n e"t%- !?n@ t 8&=ne"!'=e $#" !n !tt!e" S.13(')C,C. 2.2.1.1.INTIMAT 2.2.1.1.I NTIMATE E PARTNER PARTNER VIOLENCE:
The ACHR h!% <#n%t!nt= 'een the <&%t#>!n #$ nte"e%t% #$ the "en !n> h!% e$$<ent= t% "#=e h=e >e<>n@ the <&%t#> #$ the Ch=>"en. Int!te ,!"tne" V#=en !'&%e !"e "e<#@ne> '#th !% ;&'=< he!=th <#n !% 8#=!t#n% #$ h&!n "@ht%.*en h# !'&%e $e!=e ;!"tne"% !"e !=%# h@h= =?e= t# !'&%e the "en #$ the%e #en. F!= C#&"t% !"e "e;#"te> t# #$ten @n#"e "%?% ;#%e> ' ' !'&%8e en n !!">n@ <&%t#> < &%t#> !n> 8%t!t#n. 2.2.2.VIOLATION OF PNJ:
The net @"#&n> #$ !tt!n@% 'e$#"e the $#"e@n <#&"t e"e #;;#%e> t# n!t&"!= B&%t ! "@> te%t n <#n%t"&n@ 8#=!t#n% #$ ,N.+&t n In>! ! ='e"!= 8e % t!?en. Th% ;=e! h!% t# 'e <#n%>e"e> n the =@ht #$ the %t!t&t#" =! #$ In>!. In .N+)+/+ R+, 4. .V(&+*+ L+/ 1>- the S&;"ee C#&"t he=>: “=hat is stated in S.48(d) is no more than an elementary principle on which any civili'ed system of justice rests. $ut in matters concernin" family law the Court held that this principle has to be e0tended to mean somethin" more than mere 18*S Inte"n!t#n!= ##=en ==% 8. *S St!n>!"> W##= =t>(2001) 5 SCC 265 .N!"!%h! R!# 8%. 8 %. .Ve .Ven?!t! n?!t! L!?%h (1441) 3 SCC 51. 19.N!"!%h!
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
20
compliance with the technical rules of procedure. 90plainin" what would be considered to be sufficient compliance with the principles of natural justice the Supreme Court Court laid down down tests. !hey !hey are? (i) t is necessary to ascertain whether the respondent was in a position to present or represent himselfBherself and contest effectively the proceedin"s> and (ii) f the forei"n Court has not ascertained and ensured such effective contest by re;uirin" the petitioner to ma#e all necessary provisions for the respondent to defend includin" the cost of travel residence and liti"ation where necessary it should be held that the proceedin"s are in breach of the principles of natural justice.%
The"e$#"e- n !>>t#n t# the t"!>t#n!= "e&"eent% #$ () !nt #$ n#t !n> () <#;=!n n S+&+)+&G,4&'+& )- =et e !=%# te%t the <#ntent#n "e=!tn@ t# n!t&"!= B&%t n .N+)+/+ 2.2.3. INTEREST INTEREST OF CHILD IS OF PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION:
The en$#"@ent% % <&"t!=e> hen the !"e !@!n%t the ;e"e;t#" n#"%. The nte"e%t #$ "en % <#n%>e"e> !% &% C#@en% n the %;he"e #$ Inte"n!t#n!= L!. In &=t$!"#&% C#n8ent#n% $#&n>e> ' Inte"n!t#n!= O"@!n%!t#n%- the"e % ! %&'%t!nt!t#n #$the !$#" !$#"e% e%! !> >
;" ;"n< n<;=e. ;=e.
The
DRCDRC- ACHRHR-
ICESC CESCRR-
UNCR UNCRC C20-the the
H!@& H!@&ee
C#n8 C#n8en ent t#n #n--
140" 140"e ete te"! "!te te> > th!t th!t the the "e "en7 n7%% e=$ e=$!" !"ee % #$ ;!"! ;!"!# #&nt &nt <#n% <#n%> >e" e"!t !t# #n. n. ,!"! ,!"!#& #&nt nt <#n%>e"!t#n #$ e=$!"e #$ "en % !=%# !n n>%;en%!'=e $!e!=n@ th <&%t#>!= %%&e%. The H#n7'=e SC h!% "e!$$"e> th% n ! ;=entt&>e #$ n%t!n
20A"t<=e 12 !n> A"t<=e 13.
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
21
Th% C#&"t n E+(* D&+5 4. A)4+&' M. D&+5 21= the @ene"!= ;"n<;=e% =!> >#n n M7K(( 4. M7K((22 !% "ete"!te> th&%
KPwhenever a ;uestion arises before a court pertainin" to the custody of a minor child matter is to be decided not on considerations of the le"al ri"hts of the parties but on the sole and predominant criterion of what would best serve the interest of the minor.%
Th% H#n7'=e C#&"t n P,,&+/ D+**+ 4. K)&+ L+ D+**+ 23- he=>: “ Parties are directed to consider the interest of the child as paramount paramount and do nothin" which would be adverse to its interest or affect it physically or mentally in any manner.%
InS+)*+ S+)/+ 4. S% S+)/+ 2- the SCh=e !==#n@ the !;;e!=- he=>: “ it would not be proper to be "uided entirely by .the order of the Court of that country and that the decree passed by the American Court thou"h a relevan relevantt factor factor cannot cannot overrid overridee the conside considerati rations ons of welfare welfare of the minor minor children.%
In R%7M+6,, 4. S+&6((4M+6,, 2!= the SC &;he=> : “Reco"nition of decrees and orders passed by forei"n courts remains an eternal dilemma in as much as whenever called upon to do so Courts in this country are bound to determine the validity of such decrees and orders #eepin" in view the provisions of S.48 of S.48 of of the CPC=elfare of the minor in such cases bein" the paramount consideration> the court has to approach the issue re"ardin" the A"8n> *. Dn%h! (14) 1 SCC 2. 21E=!'eth Dn%h! 8. A"8n>
22*<ee 8. *<ee 1451 1 A== ER 42. 23,##n! D!tt! 8. "%hn! L!= D!tt! 144 S&;;(1) SCC 5 24S!"t! Sh!"! 8%. S&%h= Sh!"! 2000 Sh!"! 2000 (3) SCC 1. 25R&
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
22
validity and enforcement of a forei"n decree or order carefully. Simply because a forei"n court has ta#en a particular view on any aspect concernin" the welfare of the minor is not enou"h for the courts in this country to shut out an independent consideration of the matter.%
In K()&,* 4. K()&,* 2" the C#&"t he=>: 1So that even where a forei"n court has made an order on the meritsthat domestic court before whom the matter comes.is bound to consider what is in the best interests of the infant> and althou"h the order of the forei"n court will be attended to as one of the circumstances to be ta#en into account it is not conclusive one way or the other.1
Th% !$#"eent#ne> ;"n<;=e !% "ete"!te> ' the SC n R+47+&')+& 4. UOI 2#. 2.3.EXCEPTION FOR COMIT OF COURTS:
The ;"n<;=e #$ the <#t #$ C#&"t% % e%%ent!== ! ;"n<;=e #$ %e=$"e%t"!nt- !;;= #$ # $ the %%&e #$ the <&%t#> #$ ! ;"#" t# the >#e%t< <#&"t. One #$ the e!"=e%t <&%t#> >%;&te% !% n S+*?+4. T(6+ S& 2$. The C#&"t ;#nte> #&t n th!t
%!e n !== <#&nt"e% !n> th!t the"e % n# %%te #$ ,"8!te Inte"n!t#n!= L! h th!t the%e ;"n<;=e% 8!" @"e!t= !n> !"e #&=>e #&=>e> > ' the >%tn >%tn e<#n# e<#n#<< <#n>t <#n>t#n #n%% ;"e8! ;"e8!=n =n@ @ n the%e the%e <#&nt"e%. “ Spea#in" of the peculiar problems of conflict of laws arisin" in the -nited States of America America due to the co@e0istence co@e0istence of 7 States each with its own auton autonomo omous us le"al le"al syst system. em...u ..unde nderr Artic Article le V V Sec Sectio tion n 4 of the Am Ameri erica can n 26e"n#t 8. e"n#t 1465 Ch 21. 27R!8"!n 8. UOI (2010) 1 SCC 1. 28S!t! 8 TeB! Sn@h AIR 145 SC 105.
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
23
Constitution full faith and credit is re;uired to be "iven in each State to the public Acts Records and +udicial Proceedin"s Proceedin"s in every other State..Do country is bound by comity to "ive effect in its Courts to the laws of another country which are repu"nant to its own laws and public policy.%
In D+&5+&* J, 4. M+'+4U&'( 2> the SC "ete"!te>- the >e<%#n n M7K(( 4. M7K((30th!t “the order of the forei"n Court would yield to the welfare of the child and that comity of Courts demanded not its enforcement but its "rave consideration.%
In R%7 M+6,, 4. S+& 6((4M+ 6,,31: “repatriation of the minor .. on the principle of Ecomity of courtsF does not appear to us to be an acceptable option worthy of bein" e0ercised at this sta"e.nterest of the minor shall be better served if he continued in the custody of his mother.%
3. S."
The ;&@ne> ;"#8%#n % n 8#=!t#n #$ the ,!"t III #$ the C#n%tt&t#n !% t n8>#&%= >%<"n!te% 'eteen en !n> #en. Th% ;&@ne> ;"#8%#n % n 8#=!t#n #$ A"t.1 #$ the <#n%tt&t#n. In the ;"e%ent % the t"!n%@en>e" !% the th"> @en>e" 32 th% ;"#8%#n e;=<t= 8#=!te% the e&!=t th!t the ;"e!'=e !% t# !#&'te>= <#nt"!> A"t.15 #$ the C#n%tt&t#n. The %!e 29Dh!n!nt #%h 8%. *!>h!8Un>e 144 (1) SCC 112. 30*<ee 8%. *<ee 1451 1 A== ER 42. 31R&
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
24
;"#8%#n !% n the the n% $#" the #the"7%
!n !n> the SC he=>: situations where the father is not in actual char"e of the affairs of the K n all situations minor either because of his indifference or for any reason is unable to ta#e care of the minor because of his physical andB or mental incapacity the mother can act as natural "uardian of the minor for the purposes of section :(a) of /indu minority minority and "uardianshi "uardianship p act.
The ;&@ne> ;"#8%#n h!% >%<"n!te> the $!the" $"# the #the" ' %t!tn@ th!t the #the" %h!==
@!n
!%
!
n!t&"!=
@&!">!n
#n=
n
the
!'%en
#$
the
$!the".
The ;&@ne> ;"#8%#n %h#&=> 'e >eee> &n<#n%tt&t &n<#n%tt&t#n!= #n!= 'e#e% A6+? H++ H++@O @O) ) 4. K K+ +' ' n#t n#t %!t %!t%$ %$ the the <#n> <#n>t t#n% #n% #$ "e!% "e!%#n #n!' !'=e =e <=!% <=!%% %$ $-
K=hat article 4G stri#es at is arbitrariness because an action that is arbitrary must necessari necessarily ly involve involve ne"ation ne"ation of e;uality e;uality if the classifica classificatio tion n is not reason reasonab able le and does does not satisf satisfyy the two condi conditio tions ns refer referred red to abov above e the the impu"ned le"islative or e0ecutive action would plainly be arbitrary and the "uarantee "uarantee of e;uality e;uality under article article 4G would would be breached breached .
A=th#&@h ! <=!%%$e n th% ! !n> the the #'Be #'Be > =e@ =e@%= %=!t !t&" &"ee- h#$ 1>#$ 35- !n> <#n%> <#n%>e"!t e"!t#n #n #$ the n#" n#".. He=> He=> n KI& R( *(
"ete"!te> n R.K. G+) 4. U&,& ,- I&'+ @O) 3" .The SC <=e!"= "e<#@ne th!t-
th!H!"h!"!n9An" 8. Re%e"8e +!n? #$ In>! 9An" (1444) 2 SCC 2. 33th!H!"h!"!n9An"
34 AB! H!%!9O"% 8. h!=> *&B'Seh"!8!">9O"%. (141) 1 SCC 22. 35Re The S;e<!= C#&"t% +== 14 (144) 1 SCC 30. 36 R.. !"@ 8. Un#n #$ In>! 9O"% (141) SCC 65.
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
25
K!he differentia which is the basis of the classification and the object of the act are distinct thin"s and what is necessary is that there must be a ne0us between them.
T# e" A"t<=e 1- the ,ett#ne" >#e% n#t h!8e t# %h# th!t the"e % %#e#ne e=%e %=!"= %t&!te> !% he h%e=$- #" th!t he h!% 'e en >%%=!"= t"e!te>. In A.L. K+)+3#- the SC he=> th!t !n !
In e;=!nn@ the e&!=n@ ;"n<;=e !% ! $#&n>n@ $!th h t# ! n!""# ;e>!nt< #" =e#@"!;h< !;;"#! th!t n# #ne %h#&=> !tte;t t# t"&n e!nn@- the C#&"t he=> n E.P. R,?+88+ 4. S*+*( ,- T+/ T+/ N+'% @A&) .3 “9;ual “9;uality ity is a dyna dynamic mic conc concept ept with with many many aspec aspects ts and and dimen dimensio sions ns and and it cannot be “cribbed cabined and confined% within traditional and doctrinaire limitse;uality is antithetic to arbitrariness. n fact e;uality and arbitrariness are sworn enemies... =here an act is arbitrary it is implicit in it that it is une;ual both accordin" to political lo"ic and constitutional law and is therefore violative of article 4G.% @A&).3>= the C#&"t he=>A>>t#n!==- n A.P. A+)5+ 4. G,4*. ,- NCT ,- D( @A&). “9very state action in order to survive must not be susceptible to the vice of arbitrariness. !his is the cru0 of article 4G and basic to the rule of law.%
37 A.L. !="!8.,"#Be E&;ent C#"; Lt> (14) 3 SCC 316. 38 E.,. R#!;;! 8. St!te #$ T!= N!>& 9An". (14) SCC 3. 39A.,. A@@!"!= 8. #8t. #$ NCT #$ De=h 9An". (2000)1 SCC 600.
*E*ORIAL ON +EHALF OF THE A,,ELLANTS
26
3.1.1. REMOVA REMOVAL OF DISCRIMINA DISCRIMINATIO TION N AGAINST AGAINST WOMEN IN MATTE MATTERS RS RELATING ING
TO
GUARDIAN IANSH SHIP IP
AND
CUSTOD
OF
MINOR
AND
ELABORATION OF THE WELFARE PRINCIPLE PRINC IPLE 0
KThe =! "e=!tn@ t# <&%t#> #$ "en- the =! !<<#">n@ "e<#@nt#n t# K$!the" (n ;"e$e"en!n- !n> ;"#8%#n% h <=!%% <ten n@ the '!%< $!%<#$#"t $#" ne!"= 4 #nth% e8en 'e$#"e the '"th #$ the he"e!% the $!the" e;e"en%<#$#"tP the"e #&=> !;;e!" t# 'e n# "!t#n!= '!%% $#" !<<#">n@ %t!t&t#" "e<#@nt#n t# %&#&% >%<"n!t#n n the =! #$ the =!n>P the e;=!n!t#n t# !<<#&nt $#" th% !n#!= % t"!t#n!= 'e=e$% th!t ! $e!=e % !n n$e"#" 'en@ 'en@ !n> the !=e % the %&;e"#" 'en@. S& !n !nt$e!=e ;"eB&> ;e"%%te> e8en !$te" !%%&"n@ n the C#n%tt&t#n- % %#eh!t &n$#"t&n!te 'e et n A"t<=e 15 $"#n% &;#n %&e" '!%e> >%<"n!t#n. 3.2.VIOLATION OF THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION:
The '"#!> e;h!%% #$ R&=e #$ L! % #n !'%en #" !"'t"!" ;#e" n the <#&nt"- #n ;"#;e" %t"& <#nt"#= #$ ;#e"- !'%en! en8%!@e%- n#t !"'t"!" ;#e" '&t <#nt"#==e> ;#e". ;#e". The SC #$ In>! h!% n8#?e> R&=e #$ L! %e8e"!= te% n t% ;"#n#&n ;"n<;=e%. The t# @"e!t 8!=&e% he"n te% !"e: 1. N# !"' !"'t" t"!" !" @#8e" @#8e"n nent ent !n> !n> 2. U;h#=> U;h#=>n@ n@ n> n>8> 8>&!= &!= ='e"t ='e"t..
40Law Commission of India- Report No.133 !"#"st 1989$
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E;h!%n@ &;#n the !'#8e he=> 8!=&e%- h!nn!. #'%e"8e> n A.D.M.J++8%) 4. S.S%+ 1 th!t is the antithesis antithesis of arbitrariness arbitrariness.9verywhere .9verywhere it is identified identified with K Rule of law is the liberty of the individual.
F&"the"- the <#n $"# R&=e #$ L! !n> !% <#n ' the H#n7'=e SC n K(+4+&+&'+B+)+* 4. S*+*( ,- K()++ 2 h!% en%h"ne> n t the <#n n#n!"'t"!"ne%%. 3.3.IN 3.3.INST STA ANCES NCES WH WHER ERE E TH THE E SC HAS HAS ST STRU RUCK CK DOWN DOWN LAW LAWS AS ENAC ENACTE TED D AGAINST GENDER EUALIT:
The SC h!% !=!% 'een the %entne= #n the & 88e #$ the C#n%tt&t#n !n> h!% en%&"e> @en>e" e&!= e&!=t t . It h!% ! > #e #en n "@h "@ht% t% ' %t" %t"? ?n@ n@ >#n >#n the the =e@ =e@%= %=!t !t# #n n th!t th!t >%<"n!te #en th#&t !n nte==@'=e >$$e"ent!. In &=t$!"#&% n%t!n e&!=t !n> "&=e #$ =! $"# A) I&'+ 4. N()(M(()+ 3 &nt= M%&78+ C,)8,)+*,& ,- D( 4. F(/+( W,)() @A&) . In A) I&'+ 4. N()(M(()+
!
- th%
C#&"t !% $! th the <#n%tt&t#n!= 8!=>t #$ Re@&=!t#n 6()(<) #$ A" In>! E;=#ee% Se"8#n the ;"#8%#n #$ "&=e% h te"n!t#n te"n!t#n #$ %e"8 !'h#""ent t# the n#t#n% #$ ! <8=e> %#<et.
41A.D.*.!'!=;&" 8. S.Sh&?=! (146) 5 SCC 521. 42e%!8!n!n>! +h!"!t 8. St!te #$ e"!=! (143) SCC 225. Ne"@e%h*ee"! (141) SCC 335. 43A" In>! 8. Ne"@e%h*ee"! W#"?e"% (*&%te" R#==) 9An" . 9An" . (2000) 3 SCC 22. 44*&n<;!= C#";#"!t#n #$ De=h 8. Fe!=e W#"?e"% Ne"@e%h*ee"! (141) SCC 335. 45A" In>! 8. Ne"@e%h*ee"!
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28
In R+&') S& 4. UOI @O) ."-th% C#&"t he=> th!t n#n#'%e"8!n #en &n>e" A"t.34(>) A"t.34(>) #$ #$ the C#n%tt&t C#n%tt&t#n #n !#&nte> !#&nte> t# 8#=!t#n #$ A"t<=e 1 !n> 1 !n> 16 16.. In M+'%K5+)@O). V. S*+*( ,- B+) @O) .#= the ;"#8%#n% n Ch#t!n!@;&" Ten!n< An@ %&<#n. In V++@ O). 4. S*+*( ,- R+6+*+& @O) .$- the SC he=> th!t %e&!= h!"!%%ent #$ #"?n@ #en !t he" ;=!e" e&!=t !n> "@ht t# =$e !n> ='e"t h 21 . In M%&78+ C,)8,)+*,& ,- D( 4. F(/+( W,)() !n>A&%6G+) 4. H,*( A,7+*,& ,- I&'+ !0th% H#n7'=e C#&"t h!% @&!"!ntee> @en>e" e&!=t.
A $&ne"n >e#<"!t< %#<et %h#&=> en%&"e $"ee># th#&t >%<"n!tn@ #n the '!%% #$ %e- "! ' !;;=
Wth "e@!"> t# Inte"n!t#n!= t"e!te% !n> <#n8 ent#n%- the UOI h!% !n #'=@!t#n !"%n@ $"# A"t !n> 51 !n> A"t 253 #$ #&" C#n%tt&t#n t# ;! he e>- ;=eent !n> '"n@ nt# $#". In>! 'en@ ! %@n!t#" t# the C#n8ent#n #n the E=n!t#n #$ !== $#"% #$ D%<"n!t#n A@!n%t A@!n%t W#en W#en !n> the Inte"n!t#n!= C#8en!nt #n C8= !n> ,#=t "&=e%. 46R!n>h" Sn@h 8. Un#n #$ In>! 9O"%. (142) 1 SCC 61. 8. St!te #$ +h!" 9O"%.(1446) 5 SCC 125. 47*!>h&%h!"9O"%. 8.
48V%h!?!9O"%. 8. St!te #$ R!B!%th!n 9O"%. (144) 6 SCC 21. 49In *&n<;!= C#";#"!t#n #$ De=h 8. Fe!=e W#"?e"% (*&%te" R#==) 9An"(2000) 3 SCC 22. 50An&B!"@ 8. H#te=% A%%#<!t#n #$ In>! (200) 3 SCC 1.
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In <#n<&""en%: K
In the ;"e%ent =e@%=!t#n >#e% n#t <#n$e" #n #en the %!e K=e@!= !n t# ! n#" #n= <#ntn@ent t# the $!the"7% n !% %&%: K All persons persons are e;ual e;ual before the the law and are entitled without without any discriminat discrimination ion to the e;ual e;ual protection protection of the law. law. n this respect respect the the law shall prohibit prohibit any any discrimination discrimination and "uarantee "uarantee to all persons e;ual and effective protection a"ainst discrimination on any "round such as race .colour se0 lan"ua"e reli"ion political or other opinion national or social ori"in property property birth or or other status. status.
It % <=e!" $"# the !'#8e !"t<=e% th!t !n $#" #$ >%<"n!t#n !@!n%t #en % #&t=!e> !n> In>! h!% !n #'=@!t#n t# !
.CUSTOD OF THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE GIVEN GI VEN TO THE MOTHER AS IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN:
Wth "e@!"> t# <&%t#>!= %%&e%- t % e%%ent!= t# @8e &t#%t ;#"t!n"en n &e%t#n. In th% "e@!">- n the th ! !tte" he"e the #the" h!> "e#8e> the "en $"# U.S.A. >e%;te the #">e" #$ the Ae" appellant t will not be proper to be "uided entirely by the fact that the appellant Sarita had removed the children from -.S.A. despite the order of the Court of that that countr country. y... .. !he decre decreee passe passed d by the America American n Court Court thou" thou"h h a 51S!"t! Sh!"! 8. S&%h=Sh!"!2000 (3) SCC 1.
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relevant factor cannot override the consideration of welfare of the minor children... Hrdinarily a female child should be allowed to remain with the mother so that she can be properly loo#ed after. t is also not desirable that two children are separated from each other. f a female child has to stay with the mother it will be in the interest of both the children that they both stay with the mother...%
A>>t#n!==- the H#n7'=e C#&"t !=%# <te> the $!the"7% h!'t #$ t!?n@ eete""ent $!"en. In the =!n@&!@e #$ the C#&"t: K!he respondent appears to be in the habit of ta#in" e0cessive alcohol. !hou"h it is true that both the children have American citi'enship and there is a possibility that in -.S.A they may be able to "et better education it is doubtful if the respondent will be in a position to ta#e proper care of the children when they are so youn".%
S=!"=- n the ;"e%ent ent $!the" % !n !=<#h#=<- !n> h% <#n>& eee> !% ;"#;e" !n> !>e&!te t# t!?e ;"#;e" "en.
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PRAER
F#" the "e!%#n% !$#"e%!>- n the =@ht #$ %%&e% "!%e>- !"@&ent% !>8!n !n> !&th#"te% <te>t % h&'= %&'tte> 'e$#"e th% H#n7'=e C#&"t th!t t ! 'e ;=e!%e> t#
D"e"e%% the %%&e n the F!= C#&"t !t *%&"&. Re;"e%% the #">e" #$ the US C#&"t. De<=!"e S.6(!) #$ Hn>& *n#"te% !n> &!">!n%h; A #">e" n $!8#&" #$ S!"th!.
An> ;!%% %&e"% ;"#;e" n the <"<&%t!nee $t- n the =@ht #$ e&t- B&%t @##> <#n%<en
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