In K S I Q v. I A Q, decided on 21st July 2025 by the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench), Justice Shailesh P. Brahme dealt with a custody dispute involving a 9-year-old Muslim boy. The mother, who had left the matrimonial home due to alleged harassment and dowry demands, was initially denied custody by the trial court, which ruled in favor of the father under Muslim personal law. On appeal, the High Court emphasized the welfare of the child as the foremost consideration. Though Muslim law under the Hanafi school grants custody of a male child to the father after age 7, the court found the child had a strong emotional bond with the mother, who provided proper education, care, and financial stability. In contrast, the father lacked steady income and familial support. Invoking Section 17 of the Guardians and Wards Act, the Court held that welfare must prevail over personal law. The child’s preference to stay with his mother was honored, and custody was granted to her, with visitation rights to the father. The court reaffirmed its parens patriae role to prioritize children's best interests.