Question

In which of the following cases the Supreme Court has decided that mother can be a natural guardian of minor legitimate child during the life time of the father of the child?

• A. Gitahariharan v. Reserve Bank of India
• B. Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan
• C. Shrestha Devi v. Om Prakash
• D. Kailashwati v. Ajodhya Prasad

Hint:

For mother's natural guardianship during the father's lifetime, remember Githa Hariharan v. Reserve Bank of India.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Natural guardianship under Hindu law is governed mainly by the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956. The role of the mother as natural guardian was interpreted by the Supreme Court in an important case.

Step 1: Understand the issue.
The question asks whether the mother can act as natural guardian even during the lifetime of the father. \[ \text{Issue} = \text{Mother's natural guardianship during father's lifetime} \]

Step 2: Recall the case.
In Githa Hariharan v. Reserve Bank of India, the Supreme Court interpreted the word “after” in relation to the father not to mean only after the father's death. It held that the mother may also act as natural guardian in appropriate circumstances.

Step 3: Select the correct option.
Therefore, the case connected with this principle is Gitahariharan v. Reserve Bank of India.