The Supreme Court cannot act as a “super-guardian” for a woman who has reached the age of majority. She is free to make her own choices as to how and with whom she chooses to live her life, the apex court held on Friday.
A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra made the declaration in a nine-page order in a case where the mother of an 18-year-old woman questioned the latter's choice to live with her father in Kuwait and pursue a career there.
The apex court said the judiciary could not bow to the wishes of others and act as parens patriae to a daughter aged 18.