Unwed mother can claim guardianship of her child without disclosing name of father: Supreme Court
The court said that welfare of child should be of paramount importance while deciding such issues.
NEW DELHI: An unwed mother has not to reveal name of father of her child for claiming guardianship of the child, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled.A bench headed by Justice Vikramajit Sen held that consent of father is also not required while deciding guardianship of the child if the mother does not wish to disclose the parentage of the child.

The Supreme Court set aside order of trial court and Delhi high court directing an unwed mother, who filed guardianship petition for her Child, to disclose father’s name to get his consent.

The court said that welfare of child should be of paramount importance while deciding such issues and the court should not insist for name of father if a lady does not want to disclose it.

Deserter husband’s nod not needed for kid’s passport: HC
Kochi:
Mom Only Needs To File An Affidavit
A woman deserted by her husband has the right to get a passport for her child without the husband’s consent, the Kerala HC has held.Justice K Vinod Chandran overruled the contention of passport authorities that either the father’s consent or a court order is required to issue passport in such cases. The court held that women only need to file an affidavit before the passport-issuing authority stating that consent could not be obtained due to desertion.

The court was considering a petition filed by Rabeeha Abdul Kadar Kunju of Pulleppady here, questioning the passport office’s rejection of her minor daughter’s passport application.

The endorsement, made while rejecting the application, had said that either the father’s consent should be obtained or an order from the competent court must be produced.