New Delhi: Delhi High Court has underlined that estranged parents must ensure their child feels secure in the company of both spouses.
The court was dealing with a child custody case where it reduced the daily visitation rights granted to a father by the trial court to make it thrice a week. “The custody of the child is with the mother, which is undeniably vital for her growth and development. But at the same time, it is also essential to underscore that a father’s role in a child’s life is equally significant, if not more, for her emotional well-being and holistic development,” Justice Manoj Jain observed on Wednesday.
“The child should not experience a void in her life due to a lack of bonding with her father. Such a bond is crucial in fostering and inculcating a sense of security, self-esteem and balanced personality development.”
The mother pleaded the daughter couldn’t meet the father daily as her schoolwork and other interactions would suffer. The court modified the visitation rights, but said the rights of the child needed to be respected as he/she was entitled to the love of both parents. While deciding the matters of custody of the child, primary and paramount consideration is always the welfare of the child, it pointed out.
