Githa Hariharan v Reserve Bank of India

Rule established

Section 6(a) of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, which names the father as the 'natural guardian' and the mother only 'after' him, must be read to mean the mother can act as natural guardian even during the father's lifetime if he is absent, indifferent, or by mutual agreement of the parents, in order to save the provision from being unconstitutional and discriminatory against women.