Punjab & Haryana High Court directs PGIMER counselling of 17-year-old girl in prolonged custody dispute at Dera Sacha Sauda, ensuring welfare and voluntary choice remain central.
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Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, to conduct counselling of a 17-year-old girl at the centre of a protracted custody dispute.
The move aims to assess her well-being and determine her willingness to reside with either parent, with the court emphasizing that the child’s welfare must remain paramount.
Background of the Dispute
The case arose from a petition filed by Cypriano Britto, who has been seeking enforcement of a 2016 custody order that granted him custody of his daughter. Despite this, the girl has continued to live with her mother at the Dera Sacha Sauda premises in Sirsa. Britto contends that his daughter’s earlier statements in favour of staying with her mother were not made voluntarily, given the circumstances, and therefore sought fresh counselling.
During hearings, Britto placed reliance on the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Capt. Dushyant Somal v. Smt. Sushma Somal (1981), which held that the welfare of the child should override all other considerations in custody battles.
Court’s Directions
On August 25, 2025, Justice Subhas Mehla ordered that counselling of the minor be conducted by PGIMER experts.
Key directions included:
- PGIMER Director to appoint counsellors and frame a schedule.
- All expenses of counselling are to be borne by the petitioner.
- Mother (respondent no. 4) to ensure the child’s presence as per the schedule.
- Counsellor’s report to evaluate whether the girl understands her best interests and can express a considered choice.
The High Court clarified that the counselling is limited strictly to custody determination. The case has been adjourned to September 9, 2025, by which time the report is expected.
The dispute has gained additional sensitivity due to the child’s residence at Dera Sacha Sauda, headed by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a controversial figure convicted of rape (2017) and multiple murders, though acquitted in some cases later. His notoriety has raised broader concerns about the environment in which the child has been living.
ALSO READ: Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Released on Parole For 30 Days
Appearance:
For the Petitioner (Cypriano Britto): Mr. Kshitij Sharma, Advocate, Ms. Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Advocate, Ms. Tamanna Banwala, Advocate, Mr. Shubhkarman Singh Gill, Advocate
For the State of Haryana: Mr. Kran Veer Singh, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Haryana
For Respondent No. 4 (Mother of the child): Mr. Alok Mittal, Advocate
For Respondent No. 5: Mr. Abhishek Sanghi, Advocate, Mr. Jitender Khurana, Advocate
For Respondent No. 6 (PGIMER, Chandigarh): Mr. Avinit Avasthi, Advocate
Case Title:
CYPRIANO BRITTO Versus STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS
CRWP No.8883 of 2025
Read Order Here:
Click Here to Read More Reports On Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
