In Brief
A mother in India sought to retain custody of her minor daughter, a US citizen born in the USA, after violating a USA court order requiring her to remain there. The Supreme Court held that while habeas corpus can be invoked for a child's best interest, the court cannot force an adult to reside abroad. The court found that the child's welfare lay in being raised in the USA where she was born and holds citizenship. It directed the mother: if willing to return to the USA, the USA court will determine custody; if unwilling, the father shall have custody with the child visiting India twice yearly and having daily video calls with the mother. The court balanced international comity with child welfare as the paramount principle.
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