Mother dead, father jailed: grandfather seeks custody of minor

Three-year-old Sophia might not be aware of the tragic turn her life has taken with her mother dead and her father lodged in prison for the alleged murder of his wife. Mohan K Korappath reports.

Three-year-old Sophia might not be aware of the tragic turn her life has taken with her mother dead and her father lodged in prison for the alleged murder of his wife.

HT Image

Now, Sophia's maternal grandfather has moved the Bombay high court seeking her guardianship, and relief to protect his daughter's assets and deposits from the hands of the husband Mario Mendonza.

The petition stated Mendonza married Sandhya in October 2008, and Sophia was born in March 2009. In May 2012, Sandhya was found dead in their Andheri flat due to stab wounds, Mendonza was arrested on May 23 for suspected murder..

The court said that the minor child is presently secure in the custody of her grandfather.

The husband's side contended that since a patriarchal system is followed, the custody of the child should be with his family.

However, justice Roshan Dalvi observed that in spite of earlier directions, an affidavit is yet to be filed by the father of the child.

Adjourning the hearing till November 26, the court asked the bank to deposit the matured value of the deposit in court on the date of maturity.