Orissa High Court retains child's custody with grandparents and secures mother's daily video contact

The Orissa High Court has refused a Filipino mother's request for custody of her daughter while securing daily video calls and in person access. The bench found that the child's welfare favoured continuity with her paternal grandparents in Odisha on the facts presented. It directed the father to provide the mother's air tickets, accommodation and facilities for visits to India. The mother may spend exclusive time with the child during visits, with return to the grandparents before departure. The ruling applies a fact specific welfare assessment and does not establish a general preference against foreign mothers or parents working abroad.