The Bombay High Court has ruled that a man serving life imprisonment for murdering his wife is unfit to act as guardian of his minor daughter, appointing her maternal uncle and aunt as her legal guardians instead.
The father, a prominent Bollywood hair stylist, was convicted for killing his wife, an airline ground staff member, at their Andheri residence in May 2012. Following the incident, the child’s maternal grandfather was appointed her guardian when she was three years old. After his death in August 2025, the now 16-year-old was left without a legally designated guardian.
Court waives notice to father
Hearing the petition filed by the maternal uncle and his wife, Justice Farhan P. Dubhash held that the father was “unfit and unsuitable” to be appointed as guardian. The court waived notice under Section 11 of the Guardians and Wards Act, observing that the father is serving a life sentence for killing the child’s mother.
The judge appointed the couple as guardians, noting that the teenager had grown up in their care and regarded them as her parents.
Welfare of minor paramount
During the hearing, the court interacted with the girl, who expressed her wish to continue living with her uncle and aunt. She also conveyed that she did not want to meet or communicate with her biological father.
Emphasising that the welfare of the minor is of paramount importance, the court observed that at 16, her wishes deserved due consideration. Justice Dubhash noted that she had been living with her uncle, aunt and grandfather since early childhood and was “extremely happy” in their care.
The ruling formally secures the teenager’s legal guardianship, ensuring continuity, stability and protection of her interests moving forward.