Punjab & Haryana High Court Upholds Father as Child’s Primary Caregiver in Custody Dispute

The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld a Family Court order allowing the father to remain the primary caregiver of a minor child.

It noted that the mother was residing in a PG accommodation and had not demonstrated a reliable caregiving arrangement during her working hours.

The Court observed that the father lived in a joint family setup with adequate support, including family members, a nanny, and domestic help, providing greater stability for the child.

Emphasising that child custody matters must be decided on the basis of the child’s welfare and best interests, the Court nevertheless expanded the mother’s visitation rights and directed both parents to jointly participate in the child’s upbringing.