Madras High Court: Father Cannot Force Child Custody

The Madras High Court ruled that a father cannot use force to take custody of a minor child, even as a natural guardian. The bench directed the father to hand over his 2.5-year-old son to the mother immediately. The court issued this order in a habeas corpus petition filed by the mother. She alleged that the father had illegally detained the child during a matrimonial dispute. The mother also reported facing verbal and physical abuse from her husband. Justices AD Jagadish Chandira and B Karthikeyan emphasized that custody must be sought through legal procedures. The court rejected the father's claim to unilateral control, prioritizing the child's safety and legal rights.