Supreme Court rules work-from-home status alone cannot sway child custody decisions, prioritizing child's welfare over office vs. home work setups. In a Delhi case, it upheld father's custody despite mother's WFH claim, stressing emotional bonds and family support trump remote work perks.
Custody Verdict Breakdown
The Supreme Court, in Poonam Wadhwa vs Ajay Wadhwa, rejected the notion that WFH gives any parent an automatic edge. Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized modern realities where both parents juggle careers and caregiving, dismissing simplistic comparisons like commuting times or physical presence during office hours.
A Punjab & Haryana High Court had favored the father partly due to his WFH, but the apex court disagreed with that logic while upholding the outcome. The boy, over five, preferred staying with his father and grandfather, continuing in the same NCR school without disruption.
Key Highlights
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Child's Welfare Paramount: Courts must focus on emotional stability, not work location; minor school commute differences irrelevant in NCR.
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WFH Myth Busted: "One parent WFH doesn't mean better custody—both earn for family's future," court observed, rejecting High Court reasoning.
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Family Support Counts: Father's home includes grandparents aiding care; child unwilling to leave, ensuring continuity.
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Mother's Rights Intact: Visitation preserved; custody battle open in family court, no final bar on her claim.
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Broader Implications: Ruling adapts to hybrid work era, urging nuanced evaluations beyond post-COVID travel or remote perks.
This decision signals evolving family law, balancing professional shifts with child's best interests amid rising dual-income households.
Sources: Bar and Bench, LiveLaw, Hindustan Times, Times of India