Separation ya divorce cases me child custody sabse sensitive part hota hai. Law ka central principle clear hai: “best interest of the child”. Na mother automatically, na father automatically – dono ka evaluation hota hai.
Courts dekhte hain:
- Child ki age (very young kids mostly mother ke saath, but not as a strict rule),
- Financial stability, lekin sirf money hi deciding factor nahi,
- Time, care, emotional bonding kis parent ke saath zyada strong hai,
- Living environment safe, stable aur supportive hai ya nahi,
- Parents ka behaviour – violence, addiction, neglect ke issues.
Custody do tarah se hoti hai – physical (jaha child primarily rehta hai) aur legal (major decisions ka right – education, health, etc.). Non-custodial parent ko bhi usually visitation rights milte hain, jab tak koi extreme reason na ho rokne ka.
Courts kabhi-kabhi child ki preference bhi sunte hain, especially jab wo certain age ke upar ho. Judgment static nahi hota – circumstances change hone par custody/visitation modify bhi ho sakti hai.
Aim hamesha ek hi hota hai: child ko maximum love, stability aur growth ka environment mil paye.