PRAYAGRAJ, April 25 -- The Allahabad high court has observed that in matters concerning the custody of minors, the paramount consideration is the welfare and best interests of the child.

With this, the court directed that custody of the minor child be handed over to the mother, who is capable of serving the child's best interests. The court also noted that the father, in whose custody the child is currently residing in Meerut, is an alcoholic, has undergone liver transplant and is financially dependent, therefore, in such a situation, entrusting custody of the child to father would not be conducive to overall welfare of the child.

Disposing of a habeas corpus writ petition filed by the mother, Dr Bhavna Singh, Justice Sandeep Jain obser...