A toddler, who’s mother was killed while in India, may be returned to the custody of grandparents in Durban.
|||The Delhi father of a South African toddler, in the care of his paternal grandparents in India since the death of his mother in October, has not opposed an application asking for the boy to be returned to the custody of his Durban family.
In January, the Durban-based grandparents of one-year-old Nirvaan Handa brought an urgent application in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, asking for the boy to be returned to their care in SA.
Rama Pillay, his wife Charmala, and their son Lingeshwara, brought the urgent application against the child’s Indian father Sumit Handa, and his parents, cited as Ram and Mrs Ram Handa.
Handa is in custody, accused of the murder of his wife, Overport attorney Niranjini Pillay. He allegedly strangled Pillay, hacked her body to pieces and burnt them.
Her remains were discovered in November, almost a month after Handa had reported her missing, saying he believed that she had run off with another man.
He was arrested after a tip-off to the Delhi Crime Police.
Attorney Sandeep Singh said his office received word on Friday that the application would not be opposed by the Handas.
He is expected to seek an urgent application in the coming days for full custody of Nirvaan to the Pillays in SA.
Singh said the order would be for full care, control and custody to the Pillays and co-guardianship.
But time is running out, because Nirvaan’s visa expires on June 1.
Singh said: “We have to act fast. Nirvaan’s visa expires in coming weeks and he could be placed in an Indian foster home. We hope to finalise his return home before that happens.”
In their application, the Pillays said they feared for the well-being of the child, who was pining for his dead mother, was not eating and was becoming frail, weak and sick.
If the order is granted, the Pillays hope to be reunited with the grandson before the end of next month. - Daily News