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2013 DIGILAW 1123 (PNJ)

Aditya Gaur v. State of Haryana

2013-08-21

JITENDRA CHAUHAN

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Judgment Jitendra Chauhan, J. The present petition in the nature of Habeas Corpus has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for release of Udayvir Gaur son of the petitioner from the illegal custody of respondent Nos. 2 and 3. The brief facts of the case emerging from the pleadings of the parties are that from the wedlock of the petitioner and his wife Udichi Kanwar Sharma, (since deceased), a male child, namely Udayvir Gaur was born on 18.9.2010. She breathed her last on 19.9.2010. On the complaint filed by the father of the deceased Udichi, an FIR under Sections 406, 498A, 34 IPC was lodged. Since the death of his mother, the child is with the maternal grand parents. Heard. The petitioner has already filed a petition under Section 25 of the Guardian and Wards Act, read with Sections 8 and 12 of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, for the custody of the child before the District Judge, Kurukshetra, which is pending adjudication. The petitioner has already been granted visitation rights on the application moved by him. The question with regard to the welfare of the child is basically a question of fact requiring investigation and proof. It cannot be decided merely on the basis of the averments made in the petition, counter affidavit or re-joinder affidavit. Determination of the issue with regard to welfare of the minor necessarily involves consideration of oral or documentary evidence or both and, in the absence of any extraordinary circumstance it may not be proper for the High Court, in exercise of its jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Code, to decide questions of fact, proof whereof may require evidence. The present petition is for habeas corpus. However, as the matter with regard to the custody of the minor child is pending adjudication before the competent Court, this Court is not inclined to go into the merits of the case. As such, the same is dismissed. However, keeping in view the fact that the child, who will shortly compete three years and will soon be going to school, the trial Court shall make every endeavour to expedite and conclude the matter preferably within six months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this order.