In Brief
A biological father sought custody of his 14-year-old daughter who had lived with his sister (the appellant) since infancy after he left the child in the maternal grandmother's care when she was 2-3 months old due to financial hardship. The High Court had ordered the child's return to the father. The Supreme Court held that the child's welfare, not parental rights, is paramount in custody disputes. The Court found the child had lived stably and happily with the appellants for 14 years, expressed a clear wish to remain there, and had no meaningful relationship with the biological father. The Court set aside the High Court's order and allowed the appeal, maintaining custody with the appellants based on the child's welfare and settled circumstances.
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