In a packed courtroom at the Delhi High Court on a slightly chilly November morning, a two-judge bench delivered a judgment that many family-law practitioners were quietly anticipating. The Court refused to disturb the Family Court’s decision granting interim custody of two minor children to their mother, Sonia Mehra, after months of highly emotional hearings between estranged spouses Gautam and Sonia Mehra. The matter, argued intensely for over a year, revolved around the children’s welfare - a principle the bench revisited again and again during the proceedings.
Background
The couple, married in 2009, has two young children - a teenage daughter and a nine-year-old son. Their marital relationship deteriorated sharply in 2023, triggering a series of petitions, allegations, and interim applications. Matters escalated when Gautam shifted from the matrimonial home in Chhattarpur to Gurugram, taking both children along.
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This move became a central flashpoint. Sonia called it a unilateral act meant to cut her off; Gautam insisted he moved to “protect” the children from household tension. Things snowballed further when Gautam flew the children to Dubai on 23 March 2024 - a date that happened to overlap with the mother’s court-approved overnight visitation for Holi. “The bench observed, ‘Such disregard of judicial orders in sensitive custody proceedings does not inspire confidence,’” a remark that drew murmurs in the gallery.
Court’s Observations
Throughout the appeal, the judges interacted with the children several times, both individually and together. Without disclosing details, the bench noted that the daughter appeared “mature, articulate, and firm” in her preference to live with her mother. The son, younger and more hesitant, continued to stay with the father mainly due to age-related comfort rather than any adverse finding against the mother.
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One key moment during arguments was when the Court reaffirmed that custody disputes are not battles about parental rights. “The bench observed, ‘Children are not chattels… the Court must step in as parens patriae,’” reiterating that emotional stability and caregiving continuity outweigh financial or logistical conveniences.
Gautam’s allegations about Sonia’s alleged extra-marital relationships also fell flat. The Court stated there was no credible evidence, and even if hypothetically true, such claims carried no demonstrated impact on the children’s wellbeing. Electronic chats, screenshots, and messages produced by the father were treated cautiously, with the bench noting these disputed materials could only be properly tested at trial - not during an interim custody appeal.
The judges also expressed concern that siblings were now living separately, calling it “less than ideal.” Still, they said the current arrangement would continue temporarily until the Family Court charts a smoother, welfare-centric transition.
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Decision
In the end, the High Court dismissed Gautam Mehra’s appeal, upholding the Family Court’s order granting custody to Sonia. Interim visitation arrangements will continue for eight more weeks, giving both sides time to approach the Family Court for transitions or modifications.
The judgment closed on a firm but empathetic note: the children’s welfare must guide every next step - not the bitterness of litigation.
Case Title: Gautam Mehra vs. Sonia Mehra – Delhi High Court Upholds Interim Custody with Mother
Case Type: Matrimonial Appeal – Interim Child Custody
Case Number: MAT.APP.(F.C.) 255/2024
Appellant: Gautam Mehra (father)
Respondent: Sonia Mehra (mother)
Date of Judgment Reserved: 28 October 2025