Mother is a 'lawful guardian', can't be accused of kidnapping kid, says court
CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana HC ruled Wednesday that a parent cannot be charged with kidnapping her own child, granting custody of a 12-year-old boy to his
Australia-based mother
amid a family dispute.
Justice Harpreet Singh Brar made the ruling while hearing a
habeas corpus
plea filed by Raja Rekhi of Gurgaon, the child's paternal uncle. Rekhi sought the boy's release from what he called the illegal custody of the mother, who had taken the child while his father was away on a business trip to Belgium.
"For an act to amount to kidnapping, it is necessary that the minor is taken from the custody of a '
lawful guardian
'. However, a mother falls well within that ambit, especially in the absence of an order passed by a competent court, divesting her of the same," the court said.
The boy's father Amit Rekhi was abroad on April 24 when the mother allegedly broke into his office, took the child's passport, and left with him. According to the uncle's plea, she falsely told police she was taking the boy briefly to visit her parents in Delhi - a claim he disputed, saying her mother does not live there. The petitioner also alleged she intended to take the child to Australia, where she currently resides.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Jawa Timur: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun...
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
The mother told the court she came to India because the boy had been left in the care of house help and had requested her presence. She produced call logs and messages exchanged with the child and argued that as his mother and natural guardian, she retains
custody rights
until the pending guardianship case before Gurgaon family court is resolved.
"It would be just and prudent for this court to take into account the wishes and well-being of the detenu, who is 12 years old, and capable of forming a rational opinion about his living situation," the HC said, siding with the mother.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 minutes ago
- Time of India
From wedding vows to machete blows: Inside the chilling Meghalaya honeymoon murder - Plot revealed in 10 pictures
Sonam Raghuvanshi, once a young woman with aspirations of earning an MBA, now finds herself at the heart of a gruesome murder investigation that has shocked the nation. After completing her graduation, her academic dreams were quietly pushed aside under family pressure, which steered her into helping with the family's plywood business in Madhya Pradesh. It was there that she met Raj Kushwaha, an employee who would soon become central to one of the most chilling honeymoon murder cases in recent memory. Just days after marrying Raja Raghuvanshi in what appeared to be a traditional union, Sonam allegedly conspired with Raj to have her husband killed during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. Police claim Raj stayed behind while coordinating the murder, carried out by three men he recruited. As Raja was brutally attacked with a machete in a remote forest, Sonam stood by, reportedly watching in silence. From a false robbery narrative to an attempted cover-up, the case has unraveled into a horrifying tale of deception, betrayal, and premeditated murder, leaving both families and investigators stunned. Shattered dreams Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is now at the center of a shocking honeymoon murder case, once aspired to pursue an MBA after completing her graduation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo Her academic ambitions, however, were put on hold under family pressure. Family expectations Sonam's family discouraged her from seeking employment outside the home, urging her instead to assist her brother Govind in running the family's plywood business in Madhya Pradesh. A fatal meeting While working at the family business, Sonam met Raj Kushwaha, who managed billing and accounts. This acquaintance would later become central to a sinister plot. The doomed marriage Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi tied the knot on May 11 and left for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20. Just three days into the trip, on May 23, the couple went missing. CCTV footage from their Shillong homestay showed them wearing black jackets and carrying a white suitcase. Raj, described as calm and composed, is now accused of orchestrating the murder of Sonam's husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, just days after their wedding. A suspicious trip During the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya, Raja's brother Vipin grew suspicious after overhearing frequent phone calls between Govind and Raj. At the time, nothing seemed amiss. A phone conversation between Sonam Raghuvanshi and her mother-in-law on the day Raja Raghuvanshi was murdered has emerged as a chilling focal point in the police investigation. Sonam told her mother-in-law, Uma Raghuvanshi, that she would not break her 'Gyaras' fast just because they were away. When asked where Raja was, she replied, "Raja is walking ahead... his phone is in the bag, I'll get him to call you later." Coordinated killing Police claim Raj directed the murder remotely, instructing three childhood friends—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—to carry out the killing while he remained behind. Trust betrayed Raj had long been seen as part of the Raghuvanshi family's inner circle—sharing meals and business ties. His alleged betrayal has left the family deeply shocked and devastated. Police allege Sonam and her lover, Raj Kushwaha, planned the murder days before the trip, hiring three men—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—to execute the crime on the honeymoon in Meghalaya. The murder The assailants allegedly shadowed Raja and Sonam, using a rental car after arriving in Shillong on May 21. Sonam reportedly shared their live location with Raj, who stayed and coordinated remotely. In a forested area, the attackers tried to push Raja off a steep cliff. When that failed, they brutalized him with a machete (dao) carried for the purpose Witnesses and forensic evidence confirm Raja was struck multiple times with a machete—his autopsy showed at least two sharp wounds to the head—until he succumbed to the attack. Unfolding horror What was believed to be a traditional and respectful marriage quickly unraveled into a story of deception, manipulation, and murder—leaving a community stunned and a family in grief. According to police, Sonam watched the entire murder "coldly" without intervening. The coverup Investigators recovered the bloodstained machete near the gorge, a raincoat tied to Sonam's belongings, and Raja's missing jewellery—elements pointing toward a premeditated murder disguised as robbery. Sonam fled the scene soon after, resurfacing days later in Indore and UP. CCTV, phone records, and her travel route all suggest a planned escape—not a victimized bride. Sonam initially claimed unknown thieves attacked Raja during a robbery. but investigators countered this narrative using evidence like recovered valuables and her suspicious behavior. Sonam, Raj, and the three hired men have been arrested and charged. Authorities are probing deeper into the conspiracy—examining Sonam's role, motives, and whether the motive included Sonam's desire to leave Raja and be with Raj.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
'No remorse whatsoever': Gangster Goldy Brar's cold confession on Sidhu Moosewala murder; a rival gang angle
N EW DELHI: Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar justified killing popular Sidhu Moosewala by claiming that the popular Punjabi singer "had to face the consequences of his actions. " In a BBC documentary, it was revealed that Lawrence Bishnoi and Moosewala's relationship dated back a long time, and the dreaded gangster used to call the singer from jail, telling him he liked his music. "In his arrogance, he (Moosewala) made some mistakes that could not be forgiven," Brar told the BBC. "We had no option but to kill him. He had to face the consequences of his actions. It was either him or us. As simple as that," he added. Brar, who is also a member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, said that the "first dispute" between Moosewala and Bishnoi began with a match of Kabaddi in a village in Punjab. Brar said that Moosewala had promoted the tournament which was organised by Bishnoi's rivals - the Bambiha gang. "That's a village our rivals come from. He was promoting our rivals. That's when Lawrence and others were upset with him. They threatened Sidhu and said they wouldn't spare him," Brar said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Help abandoned elders today HelpAge India Donate Now Undo The dispute was resolved by an associate of Bishnoi Vicky Middukhera. Later, Middukhera was himself gunned down by gangsters in Mohali in August 2021, by which point, Bishnoi's hostility towards Sidhu Moosewala reached the point of no return. The Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for killing Middukhera. The police named Moosewala's friend and sometime manager Shaganpreet Singh on the charge sheet, citing evidence that Singh had provided information and logistical support to the gunmen. Singh later fled India and is believed to be in Australia. Moosewala denied any involvement. The Punjab police told the BBC there was no evidence linking Moosewala to the killing or any gang-related crime. But Moosewala was friends with Shaganpreet Singh, and he was never able to shake off the perception that he was aligned with the Bambiha gang — a perception that may have cost him his life. "Everyone knew Sidhu's role, the police investigating knew, even the journalists who were investigating knew. Sidhu mixed with politicians and people in power. He was using political power, money, his resources to help our rivals. We wanted him to face punishment for what he'd done. He should have been booked. He should have been jailed. But nobody listened to our plea," Brar said. "So we took it upon ourselves. When decency falls on deaf ears, it's the gunshot that gets heard. Law. Justice. There's no such thing," he says. "Only the powerful can... (obtain) justice, not ordinary people like us," he added. He went on to say that even Vicky Middukhera's brother, despite being in politics, has struggled to get justice through India's judicial system. "He's a clean guy. He tried hard to get justice for his brother lawfully. Please call him and ask how that's going. I did what I had to do for my brother. I have no remorse whatsoever," he said. Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, was shot dead in Punjab's Mansa district on May 29. He was killed when he, along with his friend and cousin, was travelling in a jeep to Jawahar Ke village in Mansa. Six shooters waylaid and sprayed bullets at him. After the killing, Goldy Brar, who is a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claimed responsibility for the act. According to the chargesheet filed in the Moosewala murder case, Goldy coordinated with the shooters and plotters, including Bishnoi and Bhagwanpuria. He allegedly arranged weapons, cash, cars, phones, mobile SIMs and shelters for the accused.
Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
From July, no Tatkal railway ticket booking without Aadhaar authentication
In order to prevent the malpractices by agents and ensure that common people receive the benefit of Tatkal ticket scheme, the Ministry of Railways has modified the scheme. From July, only those users who have authenticated their account using Aadhaar will be able to book tatkal tickets. 'With effect from 01.07.2025, tickets under tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users. Subsequently, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication shall also be made compulsory for the tatkal booking from 15.07.2025,' reads the circular issued by the Railway Ministry on June 10. Along with the online ticket booking system, the new rule will be applied on counter tickets as well. 'Tatkal tickets shall be available for booking through computerised PRS (passenger reservation system) counters of Indian Railways/authorised agents only after authentication of a system generated OTP which shall be sent through the system on the mobile number furnished by the user at the time of booking. This shall also be implemented by 15.07.2025,' said the circular further. According to the new rule, the authorised ticketing agents of the Indian Railways shall not be allowed to book tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of opening of booking for AC as well as non-AC travel classes. It means the agents will not be allowed to book tatkal tickets from 10 am to 10.30 am for air-conditioned classes and from 11 am to 11.30 am for non-air conditioned classes. The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), the technological wing of the Indian Railways, and IRCTC have been asked to make necessary modification in the system accordingly under intimation to all zonal railways. According to the data available with the Ministry of Railways, every day, around 2,25,000 passengers book Tatkal tickets through the online platform of the Indian Railways. An analysis of the online Tatkal ticket booking pattern from May 24 to June 2 by the Railways shows that on an average 5,615 out of 1,08,000 AC class tickets were booked in the first minute after the window opened. A total of 22,827 tickets were booked in the second minute. In the AC class, an average of 67,159 tickets or 62.5 per cent of Tatkal tickets daily were booked online within the first 10 minutes of the window opening. The remaining 37.5 per cent tickets were booked between 10 minutes till chart preparation, out of which 3.01 per cent of Tatkal tickets were booked after 10 hours of the window opening. In the non-AC category, from May 24 to June 2, an average of 1,18,567 tickets were booked online daily. Of these, 4,724 tickets — about 4 per cent — were booked within the first minute, while 20,786 tickets — about 17.5 per cent — were booked in the second minute. Approximately 66.4 percent of tickets were sold within the first 10 minutes after the window opened and the rest of the tickets were booked after that. A senior official of the Ministry of Railways said that the proposal for the e-Aadhaar authentication system is part of the campaign against the use of automated tools to book tickets online. Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal correspondent with The Indian Express, Business Bureau. He covers India's two key ministries- Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He frequently uses the Right to Information (RTI) Act for his stories, which have resulted in many impactful reports. ... Read More
