*Human Rights and Child Custody: A Landmark Judgment by the Supreme Court*
The Supreme Court of India has recently delivered a significant judgment emphasizing that children have the right to maintain a relationship with both parents, even if they reside in different countries. This ruling came in the case of Manoj Dhankar vs. Neeharika & Ors.
*Key Points of the Judgment:*
- *Right to Parental Affection*: The court recognized that children have a right to love, guidance, and emotional support from both parents.
- *Virtual Visitation*: The court granted the father's request for virtual visitation with his 9-year-old son, who lives with his mother in Ireland. The court directed that the father and son have video interactions for 2 hours every alternate Sunday, from 10 am to 12 noon Ireland time.
- *Best Interests of the Child*: The court emphasized that the child's emotional, mental, and physical well-being should be the paramount consideration in such disputes.
*Court's Observations:*
- The court noted that the conduct of both parents had not been ideal, and their personal differences had escalated into a long and bitter conflict.
- The court emphasized that it cannot allow the child to become a casualty of this conflict and that what matters most is that the child grows up in an atmosphere where they feel secure, loved, and cared for.
*Significance of the Judgment:*
This judgment highlights the importance of prioritizing the child's well-being in custody disputes and recognizes virtual visitation as a means to maintain the parent-child relationship across distances. The court's decision aims to balance the child's current living situation with the need to ensure the father remains part of the child's life.
*Case Details:*
- *Case Name*: Manoj Dhankar vs. Neeharika & Ors.
- *Date of Judgment*: September 2, 2025
- *Judges*: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta
- *Court*: Supreme Court of India
- *Citation*: 2025 INSC 1068
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