Kumble's wife gets custody of her child from first marriage

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday granted Indian Test cricketer Anil Kumble's wife interim custody of her daughter, born from her first marriage to a stock broker.

"Custody of minor child Aaruni will remain with the mother till the disposal of the petitions filed by the parties for the custody of the child," a division bench comprising Justice D P Mohapatra and Justice Shivaraj V Patil ruled on Wednesday.

However, the Court restrained the mother from taking the child abroad.

"If she was to go abroad at any time, she will leave the child in custody of the father during her absence," Justice Mohapatra, who wrote the judgement for the bench, said.

The marriage between Kumar V Jahgirdar and Chetana K Ramatheertha was dissolved by mutual consent on certain terms by a family court on April 17, 1999, and both were appointed joint guardians and custodians of their minor children.

After the marriage was dissolved, Chetana married Anil Kumble. There were several rounds of litigation on applications filed by Chetana, seeking permanent custody of her daughter and permission to take the child to Australia, Europe and other foreign countries.

However, the family court, while rejecting a prayer for permanent custody, had allowed her to take the child abroad.

This was challenged by Jahgirdar before the Karnataka High Court, which allowed the mother to keep the child for a year from September 29, 2000. The court said whenever Chetana wanted to take the child abroad prior permission of the family court at Bangalore has to be sought.

Mail Cricket Editor