Orissa High Court Upholds Father’s Visitation Rights, Says Child Not an “Inanimate Object”

The Orissa High Court upheld a father’s visitation rights, stating that a child is not an inanimate object to be shuffled between estranged parents.

The case arose from a custody dispute under Section 26 of the Hindu Marriage Act, where the mother opposed visitation, citing the father's failure to pay interim maintenance.

The Court ruled that the child's welfare is paramount and that lack of financial support does not justify denying a child’s right to affection from both parents. 

The Court found no extreme circumstances to deny access and upheld the Civil Judge's order granting visitation.