A Hindu mother can be natural guardian of her minor child during the life of father of the child if he…

In "Githa Hariharan Vs. Reserve Bank of India" the Supreme Court read the word 'after' in section 6 of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 to mean 'in the absence of', so that the mother can act as natural guardian even during the father's lifetime when he is absent or indifferent to the child's welfare.