Mr Prabhanjan Gurumohan v. the State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
WPHC No. 113 of 2024; NC: 2025:KHC:44666-DB; High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru; decided 05.11.2025; habeas corpus; custody of minor child (Anika Rao, about 6 years); father's visitation rights over video conferencing (Saturdays 8.00-8.30 p.m. IST); modification of restraining order under Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; maintainability of Guardian and Wards Petition; Family Court Bengaluru custody/guardianship/visitation jurisdiction; NIMHANS report resealed and remitted to Family Court; Article 226 and 227 Constitution of India; cross-border parents (petitioner in California, USA); Anu Sivaraman J.; Vijaykumar A. Patil J.; disposed with directions, no opinion on merits.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition (habeas corpus) disposed of with directions: (i) father permitted access to the child through video conferencing every Saturday evening 8.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. IST; (ii) Magistrate's restraining order under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 modified to that extent; (iii) Family Court to decide the maintainability objection/application on the Guardian and Wards Petition without undue delay; (iv) NIMHANS report resealed and sent to the Family Court, with liberty to provide copies to counsel; no opinion expressed on merits.