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Madras High Court
M. Arun Joshua vs A.M. Vandhitha on 8 April, 2026
A No. 1345 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 08-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE
A No. 1345 of 2026
AND
A NO. 1344 OF 2026,OP NO. 113 OF 2026
M. Arun Joshua
S/o. Maria Joseph Lincon Ambedkar,
No.10, 3rd Floor,
Vasanth Akshya Apartment,
Madurai Samy Madam Street,
Perambur, Chennai 600 011.
..Applicant(s)
Vs
A.M. Vandhitha
W/o. Arun Joshua,
D/o. A.R.Muralidharan,
Permanently residing at,
Door No.4/344-F, Gandhiji Road,
Paramakudi Town and Taluk,
Ramanathapuram District,
Tamil Nadu 623 707.
Now temporarily statying and working as
Tutor in Microbiology,
Government Medical College,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu 611 108.
..Respondent(s)
A No. 1345 of 2026
To direct the Respondent to permit the Petitioner to communicate
with the Minor Son A.V.Addhwick aged about 2 years 7 months, through any
mode of video calls..
A No. 1344 of 2026
To direct the Respondent to permit the Petitioner to have visitation
rights and see the Minor Son A.V.Addhwick aged about 2 years 7 months,
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A No. 1345 of 2026
Weekly once.
OP No. 113 of 2026
a) to grant a permanent custody of the minor son A.V.Addhwick,
aged about 2 years 7 months to the petitioner. b) to appoint the petitioner as
legal guardian of the person of his minor son A.V.Addhwick, aged about 2
years 7 months.
For Applicant(s): Mr.S. Sathyaraj
For Respondent(s): Mr.M.Sarfudeen Ali
ORDER
The present Original Petition has been filed praying to grant a permanent
custody of the minor son A.V.Addhwick, aged about 2 years 7 months to the
petitioner; and that to appoint the petitioner as legal guardian of the person of
his minor son A.V.Addhwick, aged about 2 years 7 months.
2. After a brief hearing and having regard to the welfare of the minor
child(ren), and pending consideration of the larger issues in the Original
Petition, this Court considers it appropriate to refer the matter for a combined
mediator-counsellor session to explore an amicable parenting arrangement and
obtain child-focused assistance on interim parenting issues.
3. Accordingly, the matter is referred to the Mediation Centre.
4. The referral shall be subject to the following conditions:
a. The parties shall appear, in the first instance, before the mediator
namely Mrs.Sudharshana Sunder (Mobile No:9444232590) and counsellor
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namely Mrs.Preethi Sudhakar on 21.04.2026 at the Tamil Nadu Mediation and
Conciliation Centre, High Court, Madras, and thereafter on such further date(s)
and time(s) as may be fixed by them.
b. The mediator and counsellor may hold joint sessions with the
parties, but their functions of course remaining distinct. The mediator shall
facilitate consensual settlement while the counsellor shall assist in evolving a
child-focused parenting arrangement in the welfare interest of the minor
child(ren).
c. Needless to observe that all mediation communications shall
remain confidential. No statement, offer, concession, admission, or discussion
made in mediation shall be disclosed to this Court.
d. The counsellor may submit a limited parenting proposal/note to this
Court to assist in working out an interim parenting arrangement. Such note shall
be confined to child welfare, practical parenting arrangements, and the needs of
the minor child(ren), and shall not disclose any mediation communication,
settlement offer, concession, admission, or reasons for failure of settlement.
e. The initial fee/remuneration payable to the counsellor shall be
borne by the parties in equal proportion, subject to such order as this Court may
pass regarding additional remuneration.
f. On conclusion of the process, the Mediation Centre/designated unit
may place before this Court:
(i) a signed parenting plan, if consensus is reached;
(ii) the limited counsellor’s parenting proposal/note as indicated above, if
no consensus arrived at by the parties.
5. Until further orders and without prejudice to the rights and
contentions of either party, the existing interim arrangement if any, earlier
ordered by this Court shall operate.
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6. Post on 01.06.2026 for report and further orders.
08-04-2026
Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No
dsn
To
1.The Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Centre,
High Court of Madras,
Chennai.
2.Mrs.Preethi Sudhakar,
No.17/10, Ayshwarya Villa Apartments,
Flat. No.1, Ground Floor, 2nd Canal Cross Road,
Gandhi Nagar, Adyar,
Chennai- 600 020.
Phone No.8939649533.
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DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE J.
dsn
AND
A NO. 1344 OF 2026,OP NO. 113 OF 2026
08-04-2026
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