SC refuses to issue guidelines for custody disputes amid lockdown

The apex court refuses to issue guidelines for custody disputes under lockdown. Some days back a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the apex court which sought guidelines for custodial dispute between parents where the non-custodial parent cannot meet their children due to the lockdown.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court today refused to pass directions for issuing guidelines for custody dispute between parents during the lockdown saying that they can not be passing directions at the national level like this and the issue has to be decided by the family courts.

"But if parties are willing, then it can be done virtually and in case there is resistance, family court can be moved," said the bench.

Some days back a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the apex court which sought guidelines for custodial dispute between parents where the non custodial parent can not meet their children due to the lockdown.

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The petitioner argued that in countries like Australia there are guidelines where parents could come to an internal decision and directions to interact the child through electronic media can be passed.

The bench refused to consider the plea and said that they cannot pass general orders.