Bombay HC pat for Versova cops for finding man, child in 24 hours

The Dutch woman informed the high court that her lawyer husband had violated court conditions. Representation pic

The Bombay High Court, in its order on January 11, commended the Versova police station for efficiently locating the father and his minor daughter within 24 hours, following the complaint of the Dutch mother. Recently divorced, the mother sought court permission for the Indian father to meet the daughter in a hotel lobby for 15 days by booking a room. However, he failed to make a reservation and absconded with his minor daughter.

Neinka Leida Hulshof, the Dutch woman, informed the high court that her lawyer husband had violated court conditions by running off with their minor daughter and becoming untraceable. The court issued a non-bailable order against the father, instructing DCP Zone-IX Krishnakant Upadhyay to locate and present him. Upadhyay said, "Within 24 hours of the court order, we located the father in Daman using technical details and brought him before the court."

Appreciating the efforts of Versova police, the court said, "We may record our appreciation for the prompt steps taken by the Versova police station in apprehending the father from Daman and for having produced him and Noa before us today."

As per the court order on January 8, 2024, the custody of the girl child, Noa, was handed over to the petitioner, her biological mother. The court directed the mother to deposit her passport with the registry. The father was supposed to arrange accommodation at Hotel Amber Paramount and provide conveyance charges for the petitioner and Noa's travel to school. However, on January 9, 2024, it was discovered that the father had not booked a room, and both he and Noa were untraceable.

The court issued a bailable warrant against the father, directing the deputy commissioner of police, Zone-IX, Mumbai, to personally supervise its execution. After the arrest, the senior inspector at Versova police station was to produce the father with Noa before the court. The petitioner was permitted to take back her passport, and the court directed the father to deposit his and his daughter's passports as well as the OCI card.

The couple, residing in the Netherlands, married and had a child. Due to differences, they decided to separate and obtained a divorce, with a Dutch court granting custody to the mother. As the father was in India, the woman along with her daughter came to meet him, following the high court's order to book a hotel where the father could meet his daughter in the lobby. However, he vanished with her. Since he violated the court order, the court has asked him to surrender the passport to ensure that he doesn't flee with his daughter.

Jan 9
Day of the incident