Karnataka HC Fines Father Rs 5 Lakh for Taking Daughter from Bengaluru Court

The Karnataka High Court has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on a father for forcibly taking his minor daughter away from the Bengaluru Family Court premises without a court order, directing him to produce the child before the court on August 25.

Justice Dr Chillakur Sumalatha criticised the man's actions, noting that children have human rights just like adults and cannot be treated as objects to be taken away at will without adhering to existing custody arrangements or obtaining lawful permission.

The incident took place on July 18 when the man's estranged wife, who had relocated to Pune with their daughter, arrived at the Bengaluru Family Court with the child for ongoing divorce proceedings that were initiated in 2015. Following the court proceedings, the father allegedly took the girl away in his car and brought her to his sister's residence.

According to court records, the child was not returned to the mother despite subsequent intervention by the police.

Taking serious note of the violation, the High Court directed the father to pay Rs 5 lakh as a penalty. Of this total amount, Rs 1 lakh must be deposited with the Army Welfare Fund, while the remaining Rs 4 lakh is to be deposited in a fixed deposit account created in the name of the minor daughter.