There has been an evolution of guardianship laws with the changing era and this can be understood by taking a look at the series of cases that follow as under :-
In the case of PT Chathu vs. V.K.K. Kanaran it is held that if the father is alive and is not barred from any restrictions placed in the fact that may make him unfit to take up the role of a natural guardian. It is not acceptable for the mother to claim to be the guardian of the minor.
It has been portrayed in the case of Rajalakshmi vs. Ramachandran that if someone gives the property to a minor and claims that they are the natural guardian of the minor, it would though not be considered under the provisions of the guardianship law.
In the case of Essakkayal Nadder vs. Sridharan Babu that the importance of the father as the natural guardian is directed. It is according to the facts of the case that the children did not live with the father and the mother had passed away, the court said that the father was still alive and cannot be disqualified from being a natural guardian on the grounds of being unfit or no more a Hindu. It is further stated that it is no one else other than the father who could be a natural guardian of the minor children.
In the case of Gita Hariharan vs. Reserve Bank of India that the issue of the problematic and patriarchal notion of the father being the natural guardian and the mother becoming the guardian can only after he was no more. The position of the single mothers was directed in this case.
In the case of Jajabhai vs. Pathan Khan, a married couple was separated and the minor was living with her mother. It was in this situation that the court felt right to accept the mother as a natural guardian of the child.
In the case of Bakshi Ram vs. Sheela Devi a remarkable landmark judgement was passed. It was therein held that the mother’s remarriage is not a ground to restrict her rights as a natural guardian.
In the case of Dr. Snehalata Mathur vs. Mahendra Narayan that the Rajasthan High court rejected the application of the father who sought the physical custody of his daughter and the mother was given the custody of the child. It was held that the mother who was the natural guardian of the girl.
Further, there are these types of guardians:-
Natural guardian
Court appointed guardian
Testamentary guardian
Other than the types of guardians above mentioned it is the Hindu law that additionally permits the De facto guardians and guardians by affinity.
Further the powers of the natural guardian can be divided into two categories : firstly rights with reference to the body of the minor and secondly the rights with reference to the property of the minor. Though a guardian is permitted to act in the interest of the minor and take all necessary actions for the benefit of the minor but then it should be within the constraints of the Hindu minority and guardianship Act, 1956. The guardian does not possess in any condition the power to bind the minor through a personal covenant and has no authority to mortgage, donate, sell or transfer the immovable property belonging to the minor without seeking court’s permission. The guardian is always expected to act for the welfare of the minor and take all necessary precautions and the decisions keeping in mind the interest of the minor. Moreover, in order to get the permission from the court for selling or mortgaging the minors property the guardian must be able to justify to the court that how this transaction of property will benefit the minor and is inclining towards his interest. Also the court will not give such a permission until it is fully satisfied with the statement or the justification of the guardian. And if the selling of the property by guardian violates any provisions that have been stated in the Act then in that case the minor has full authority to claim back the property from the guardian and challenge the transaction and the sale deeds of the property which was sold after attaining the age of majority.
Some noteworthy judgements that clearly portray the truthfulness of all the above mentioned facts and provisions of the act can be the case of Radheshyam vs. Kishan Bala, Sutra Singh vs Pritam Singh, Manikchand vs Ramchandra etc.
It was held in the case of Radheshyam vs. Kishan Bala that the court has complete authority to allow the selling of the property and the enforcement of the performance of purchase agreement by the guardian towards the minors property to favour the minor’s interest. It was further stated that the person who is appointed as the guardian after both the parents have passed away has all the rights that a natural guardian possesses.
In the case of Sutra Singh vs. Pritam Singh the question before the court of law was that weather a sale of immovable property by natural guardian that violated Section 8(1) and (2) of the Hindu minority and guardianship Act, 1956 can be challenged through a case where it has been 3 years after the minor has attained the age of majority. Does the minor here lose the chance of questioning the transfer of such a property mainly because he did not initiate a legal action at the time mentioned under Article 60 of the Indian limitation Act, 1963?
It was then understood that the aim of Section 8 of the Hindu minority and guardianship Act, 1956 was to grant the natural guardian of a Hindu minor the same rights and authorities as he would have under the Ward Act, 1860. It was then decided by the court that the former minor can only challenge the validity of the transaction of property done by his natural guardian only in the duration of three years since she attains the age of majority. And if he has not taken any legal action and has not brought a proceeding asking back the possession of the property in the specified duration then he loses the chance of claiming It back ever again. He then possesses no right to make that transaction of immovable property as voidable.
Further in the case of Manik Chand vs. Ramchandra the most important aspect of the Hindu minority and guardianship Act, 1956 was thought, which is the meaning of the term ‘necessity’ and ‘advantage’ of a minor. As these terms really have a very broad interpretation it was held by the court that the judges have the power to broaden the ambit of these terms depending on the circumstances of each case so as to contemplate best in full potential the giving of permission to the guardian for selling the minors property.
Therefore, every guardian should perform within the ambit of the codified law while performing for the interest of the minor, as in every scenario the welfare of the child is the utmost priority.
References:-
https://www.legalbites.in/natural-guardians-right-over-minors-property
Rajalakshmi v. Ramachandran Manu/tn/027/1967
Essakkayal Nadder v. Sreedharan Babu AIR 1992 Ker 200
Radheyshyam v. Kisan Bala AIR 1971 Cal. 241
Manik Chand v. Ramchandra AIR 1981 SC 519