The Delhi High Court held that a mother responsible for child alienation, misuse of law through false cases, and disobeying court orders cannot retain child custody. The Court restored the father’s role in the children’s lives, ruling that instability and manipulation harm children more than any gender or financial claim. The ruling reinforces balanced parenting, lawful conduct, and protection from child alienation.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court delivered an important judgment in a long-standing custody dispute between a husband and wife concerning their two minor children. The litigation spanned multiple judicial forums and involved allegations of marital cruelty, initiation of criminal proceedings, repeated relocation of the children across different cities, and a connected contempt petition alleging denial of access and contact to the father.
Earlier, the Family Court had granted custody of both children to the father after finding that the mother had repeatedly shifted the children without court permission and had restricted the father’s access for years.
The mother challenged this order before the High Court, claiming she was the primary caregiver, financially stronger, and that young children should normally remain with the mother.
The High Court carefully examined the entire record, interacted with the children, and reviewed the conduct of both parents. The judges made it clear that custody cases cannot be decided on emotions, stereotypes, or gender assumptions. What matters most is the overall welfare and healthy development of the children.
The Court reiterated that welfare has a very wide meaning and must not be restricted only to physical comfort or financial capacity. The judgment quoted the law exactly as follows:
“The word “welfare” used in Section 13 of the Act has to be construed literally and must be taken in its widest sense. The moral and ethical welfare of the child must also weigh with the court as well as its physical well-being. Though the provisions of the special statutes which govern the rights of the parents or guardians may be taken into consideration, there is nothing which can stand in the way of the court exercising its parens patriae jurisdiction arising in such cases.”
The Court further emphasized that every custody dispute must be decided only from the child’s perspective and not the parents’ rivalry. The judgment reproduced this principle in the following words:
“The principles of law in relation to the custody of a minor appear to be well-established. It is well-settled that any matter concerning a minor, has to be considered and decided only from the point of view of the welfare and interest of the minor. In dealing with a matter concerning a minor, the court has a special responsibility and it is the duty of the court to consider the welfare of the minor and to protect the minor’s interest. In considering the question of custody of a minor, the court has to be guided by the only consideration of the welfare of the minor.”
The High Court also referred to the emotional damage caused by prolonged custody fights and reminded that children often become silent victims of adult conflicts. The Court reproduced the following observation:
“In our view, the best interest of the children being of paramount importance will be served if they return to US and enjoy their natural environment with love, care and attention of their parents including grandparents and to resume their school and be with their teachers and peers.”
While applying these principles to the present case, the Court rejected the idea that the “tender years doctrine” automatically favours the mother. The judges observed that modern society no longer supports rigid assumptions that only mothers can nurture children. Both parents are equally capable of providing care, stability, and emotional security.
The Court found strong indicators of parental alienation. The children had been moved repeatedly across different cities and states without court approval. The father’s contact with the children was restricted for long periods, and access was granted only after repeated court intervention.
The Court also took note that earlier criminal cases filed against the father had either been quashed or ended in acquittal, and later allegations appeared unsupported and motivated.
The judges made it clear that financial superiority cannot decide custody. Money alone does not guarantee emotional stability, healthy upbringing, or psychological well-being. What matters is continuity, security, emotional bonding, and freedom from manipulation.
The Court also emphasized that siblings should not be separated and should grow together in a stable and balanced environment. It concluded that, at present, the father was better placed to provide such stability and ensure meaningful access of both parents in the children’s lives.
On the contempt issue, the Court observed that the allegations arose from non-compliance of interim access orders. However, since the main appeal itself was finally decided on merits, a separate contempt inquiry was not necessary.
This judgment sends a clear message that custody disputes should not be converted into tools of control, revenge, or character assassination. Courts will not encourage parental alienation, misuse of criminal law, or emotional manipulation of children. The welfare of the child will always remain superior to gender bias, personal ego, financial showmanship, and litigation tactics.
Explanatory Table – Laws And Sections Involved
| Law and Section | Purpose | How Applicable in This Case |
| Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 – Section 7 | Court power to appoint guardian. | Father filed custody petition under this section. |
| Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 – Section 25 | Regulates custody and return of child. | Court ordered children’s custody to father. |
| Indian Penal Code – Section 498A | Punishes cruelty by husband or relatives. | FIR filed by wife; husband and family acquitted. |
| Indian Penal Code – Section 506 | Punishes criminal threats. | Added in wife’s complaint; not sustained. |
| Indian Penal Code – Section 406 | Punishes criminal breach of trust. | Case quashed by Calcutta High Court. |
| Domestic Violence Act, 2005 | Protection and relief for domestic abuse. | Proceedings initiated by wife during dispute. |
| Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 – Sections 3 & 4 | Penalises dowry demand and acceptance. | Added in later FIR; found without merit. |
| CrPC – Section 125 | Maintenance to dependents. | Wife filed maintenance case. |
| Constitution of India – Article 136 (Reference) | Supreme Court appeal power. | Cited in precedent discussion. |
Case Details
- Case Title: Suman Sankar Bhunia vs Debarati Bhunia Chakraborty
- Case No.: CONT.CAS(C) 203/2025, MAT.APP.(F.C.) 279/2024 with connected applications
- Court: High Court of Delhi at New Delhi
- Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anil Kshetarpal & Hon’ble Mr. Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar
- Dates:
- Judgment Reserved On: 16 December 2025
- Judgment Pronounced On: 23 January 2026
Counsels
- For Petitioner (Father): Mr. Prosenjeet Banerjee, Ms. Shreya Singhal, Ms. Mhasilenuo Keditsu, Ms. Kushagra, Ms. Anshika
- For Respondent / Appellant (Mother): Ms. Padma Priya, Ms. Chitrangda Rastrauara, Mr. Abhijeet Singh, Mr. Anirudh Singh, Mr. Aishwary Mishra, Mr. Dhananjay Shekhawat, Mr. Sakshi Aggarwal, Mr. Yuvraj Singh, Ms. Pearl Pundir, Ms. Bhumika
Key Takeaways
- Child custody is not about gender; courts will prioritise the child’s welfare over automatic maternal preference or outdated tender years assumptions.
- Parental alienation is taken seriously, and a parent who deliberately cuts off the other parent can lose custody, regardless of income or education.
- Misuse of criminal laws like IPC 498A, DV Act, or dowry provisions backfires in custody disputes and damages the credibility of the accusing parent.
- Financial superiority alone does not decide custody; emotional stability, continuity, and access to both parents matter more than money.
- Fathers are recognised as equal caregivers, and courts will actively protect a child’s right to love, care, and bond with their father.
This Could Change Your Case-Get FREE Legal Advice-Click Here!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the Indian courts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of “ShoneeKapoor.com” or its affiliates. This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content provided is not legal advice, and viewers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Viewer discretion is advised.