Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday ordered the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to restore the custody of six-month-old child to her mother.
The unwed mother had approached the High Court praying to quash the order dated September 4, 2024 passed by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), North and to direct that the custody of the child be restored to her.
It its order dated September 4, the CWC had denied the petitioner custody of her new born child. The petitioner said that the order was despite her clear expression of reluctance. The CWC in its order had recorded that the petitioner had expressed her desire to keep the child with her but since the mother was herself was child in need of care and protection, it kept the child in group foster care at OPM (Obra de Protecao a Mulher), Nachinola.
But since the mother was now major in age, the Court had expressed that the custody of the child be restored to her.
The CWC will also pass an order for the appointment of a couple as “Fit Person” who will be responsible for the overall development of mother and child i.e. mother's educational, psycho-socio and vocational needs, etc until the mother and child are restored to the family. They will also ensure speedy integration of the victim and the child.
Adv Caroline Collasso, Adv Vijeta Poulekar along with Adv N Suganthi appeared for the petitioner.
The Court later disposed of the writ petition and listed the matter for compliance on November 28.