Mrs Susana Maria Spinola v. State of Karnataka
Habeas corpus – custody of minor girl – paternal grandmother as petitioner
Case brief
What is this about?
WPHC No. 24 of 2026; neutral citation NC: 2026:KHC:21200-DB; High Court of Karnataka; habeas corpus; Articles 226 and 227; minor child custody; paternal grandmother petitioner Susana Maria Spinola; detenue Hanukkah Esther Spinola; Child Welfare Committee - 2 placement order Annexure-A; Girls Children Home Bengaluru; Hulimavu Police Station; FIR for sexual offences; Social Investigation Report; District Child Protection Officer Ernakulam; child with grandmother at Kochi; step father sexual abuse disclosure; father to take child to Dubai; report dated 10.04.2026; petition closed; liberty to parents for custody/guardianship applications.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition closed with no further orders; the interim arrangement (child with her paternal grandmother in Kochi) continues. Official respondents directed to take appropriate steps in terms of the Department of Woman and Child Development report dated 10.04.2026; either parent left free to move appropriate custody or guardianship applications. No order quashing the CWC placement order and no direction to register an FIR were granted in this judgment.