Visitation rights of grandparents towards grand children would also include overnight custody for shorter periods: Kerala HC [Read Judgment]

A division bench of Kerala High Court comprising of Justices C.K Abdul Rehim and Shaji.P Chali in Biji &Another v Vijil(Died) &others [Mat. Appeal No:234/2016] has ruled that visitation rights of the grandparents towards their grand children is well recognized and the same also would certainly include overnight custody for shorter periods.

The 1^st respondent (husband/father) had filed the Original Petition in 2012 seeking an order of permanent custody of the minor child, Anushka, aged 11 months , before the court below. When the trial was in progress, the 1^st respondent died in a motor accident and thereupon the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents (grandparents), who are his parents, were impleaded as additional petitioners and the trial continued with them in the array of petitioners.

By the impugned judgment dated 06/02/16 in G.O.P.1293/2012 the Family Court, Irinjalakuda had declined permanent custody of the minor child to 2^nd and 3^rd respondents, but granted visitation rights up to 8 years of the child.Apart from the visitation rights, the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents were also granted 3 days interim custody of the child during 'Onam' and 'Christmas' holidays and 10 days during mid-summer vacation.The 2^nd and 3^rd respondents were further held entitled to custody of the child on the death anniversary date of the 1st respondent and also on the 3rd Sundays after Easter, in connection with the festival of their Parish Church. However even while granting the said interim custody, a rider was added to the effect that the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents were entitled to get such interim custody only if they bear the entire educational expenses of child. It was further directed that the above arrangement would continue till the child attains the age of 8 years.

Aggrieved by the grant of interim overnight custody to the grand parents , the appellant (wife/ mother ) had approached the High Court. The appellant contended that, the2^nd and 3^rd respondents, are entitled only for a visitation right and they are not entitled to get interim overnight custody of the child,as ordered by the Family Court. A further thrust of argument was made to mean that visitation contemplated would mean the grandparents visiting the child at the child’s place and not the child visiting the grandparents at the grandparents place.

The court however rejected the arguments of the appellant in this regard. The court speaking through Justice Shaji.P Chali, traced the legal definition of the term ‘Visitation’  from various renowned authorities, in the absence of same being specifically defined under Guardian and Wards Act, 1890.The court opined that in legal parlance the grand parent’s visitation of the child is well –recognized and same also takes in over night custody for short periods.

The Judicial reasoning of the court was elaborately expressed on the following lines:-“as per our traditions and culture the children are allowed to live with their grandparents, immediate elder members of the family and relatives during festival seasons and other holidays. The children are also allowed to attend family functions, festivals conducted in religious institutions etc. in the maternal as well as paternal houses, in order to understand the cultural and traditional backgrounds that are prevailing in the family and community, irrespective of religious and cultural differences. This is done with the prime intention of bringing up the child as a social being and with the objective and intention of making them responsible citizens to yield fruitful results to the family, society and the nation at large. It is also common and well-settled that the children may reside in the maternal and paternal houses along with grandparents, whenever such occasion demands. This will help the children to have larger perspective and broader minds which are also necessary for their welfare and wellbeing. It is also well settled that the children learn many things from their grandparents and they hear many stories which are termed as 'grandpa's and grandma's stories'. The grandparents also enjoy company of the children in their old age which will be helpful to their old age life and the same has many dimensions and significance, correspondingly. The courts while considering custody of children/visitation sought for by grandparents, should bear in mind such realities, while reckoning the circumstances conducive to the welfare of the child.”

The court thereupon disposed the matter upholding the order of the family court, but with slight modifications on terms of over night and day time custody with due regard to the factum that the child was only 11 months at the time of filing application. The bench opined that if custody of the child aged 4 years now is handed over to 2^nd and 3^rd respondents ,all of a sudden in the absence of any intimacy, between the child and grandparents , won’t be conducive in the best interests of the child.

Hence the bench, by evoking parens patriae doctrine giving paramount consideration to the welfare of the young child observed as follows:-“overnight custody of the child can be stepped up in a slow pace and the day time custody of the child can be increased in a phased manner, which will enable the child to have more familiarity and acquaintance, and will enable the child to develop love, affection and intimacy with the grandparents.”

Read the Judgment here.