R.Mani v. Vinnarasi @ Mighty
Case brief
What is this about?
Welfare-of-minor refusal of one-day interim custody: Madras HC (P. Dhanabal, J.) dismissed a grandfather's interim-custody application (Order XIV Rule 8 Original Side Rules r/w Section 12 Guardians and Wards Act; A No. 479 of 2026 in O.P.No.54 of 2025; decided 16-02-2026) seeking custody of his three-year-old grandson Navin Magizh @ Theo on 18.02.2026 to attend a family first-birthday function. Grounds: over 200 Kms round trip from Vellore would disturb the child; child too young to recognise the event and resides with the mother (respondent) for the past two years; child's father died 03.09.2024; main guardianship/custody petition pending. Keywords: interim custody, grandparent, Guardians and Wards Act Section 12, Original Side Rules Order XIV Rule 8, welfare of minor child, visitation, Family Court Chennai.
What did the court decide?
Considering all the aspects, including the welfare of the minor child, the Court found it inappropriate to accede to the applicant's request for interim custody for the birthday celebration.