Orissa High Court Denies Filipino Mother Custody, Grants Daily Video Calls

The Orissa High Court denied a Filipino mother custody of her Indian daughter, who is living with her paternal grandparents in Odisha. A division bench granted the mother visiting rights and permission to speak with the child daily over video calls while deciding her habeas corpus petition. The court considered the mother’s residence and family circumstances, including that she is a kindergarten teacher in Hanoi and has other children living in the Philippines. The child was born in Bengaluru on November 26, 2023, and is an Indian citizen. The court said the child’s welfare was paramount in deciding where she should live.