KARUNA PURTI vs STATE(NCT OF DELHI)

The Supreme Court held that under Section 7 of the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, an unwed mother is not required to notify the putative father of her petition for guardianship of her child, as the welfare of the child is paramount. The Court emphasized that the legal obligations of parents should not overshadow the child's best interests, and the requirement to disclose the father's identity is not absolute. The Court overturned the High Court's dismissal of the mother's application, allowing her to proceed without naming the father, thereby prioritizing the child's welfare over procedural formalities.