Under section 6(a) of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, which order of natural guardians…

Section 6(a) of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act gives the father and "after him" the mother priority for a legitimate boy, with "after" interpreted as absence in Githa Hariharan (1999). Section 6(b) reverses that order for an illegitimate boy, and ordinary maternal custody below five is distinct from guardianship.