Aishwarya Rathore –
Published on August 26, 2021, at 10:10 IST
The Delhi High Court ruled that a physical meeting between a father and his minor son, who lives with his estranged wife, cannot be allowed unless the former is completely vaccinated.
The Court was hearing an Appeal filed by the minor’s mother, who was contesting a Family Court decision granting the father 40 minutes of custody each day.
During the pandemic, however, physical visits were replaced by virtual ones.
During the hearing, the Respondent’s father asked the High Court to give him only one day of physical custody on Janmashtami.
Initially, the Court appeared to be inclined to grant the request. The Court, however, declined to provide any remedy after discovering that the Respondent had only received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccination.
The Judge remarked, “I cannot allow you to meet the child unless you are fully vaccinated.”
The Petitioner insisted that full vaccination is not a guarantee against contracting the infection.
The Court stated emphatically, “That’s the protocol we are following.”
The matter is listed for a (hybrid) hearing on September 8.
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