Wife files affidavit deferring 7-year-old daughter’s ‘diksha’ after husband’s complaint

Amid an ongoing matrimonial dispute, a petition filed by the husband seeking permanent custody of the couple’s minor daughter under the Guardian and Wards Act is pending before the Surat Family Court.

In the meantime, following the husband’s interim plea to restrain the wife from proceeding with the religious initiation (diksha) of their 7-year-old daughter, the wife on Thursday submitted an affidavit before the court stating that it has been deferred. The in-charge court has now adjourned further hearing in the guardianship matter to January 2.

The dispute stems from marital differences between the couple, with the husband, a resident of the Palanpur Patiya area, moving the Family Court under Sections 7 and 24 of the Guardian and Wards Act.

He has sought appointment as guardian and permanent custody of the couple’s two minor children, who are currently in the wife’s custody. The wife resides in the Sagrampura area of Surat.

During the pendency of the case, the husband came to know that the wife was planning to have their daughter initiated into diksha during a Diksha Mahotsav scheduled to be held in Mumbai from February 4 to 8. 

Apprehending that such a step would have irreversible consequences, the husband approached the court seeking interim relief to restrain the wife from proceeding with the initiation.

Acting on the plea, the court issued notice to the wife and directed that the diksha process of the minor girl should not be taken forward. The wife was also asked to remain present before the court on the scheduled date.

On Thursday, the wife appeared before the in-charge Family Court and submitted an affidavit stating that the proposed diksha ceremony of the minor daughter has been postponed. Taking note of the submission, the court adjourned further hearing of the pending guardianship application to January 2.