Aniruddhan v. Shambhavi Kumar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 26-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL AND OA Nos. 728 & 3355 OF 2025 Dr.Aniruddhan, S/o.Dr.P.Sankaran, C1-8-21, 14th Cross Road, IIT Campus, Chennai - 600 036.
..Petitioner(s) Vs Shambhavi Kumar, D/o.Mr.Kumar Venkatachalam Krishna, Old No.66, New No.73, Alamelumangapuram, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.
..Respondent(s) PRAYER: This petition has been filed seeking to grant the following reliefs: (a)that the petitioner may be granted permanent custody of the minor girl child namely Sharada Maitreyi Iyer born on 01.12.2014, (b)that the petitioner be appointed as the guardian of the person of the minor girl child namely Sharada Maitreyi Iyer born on 01.12.2014 and is currently about 10 years.
For Petitioner(s):
Mrs.Geetha Ramaseshan For Respondent(s):
Mr.Surya for M/s.A.S.Kailasam & Associates
ORDER
The learned counsel on either side submitted that the matter has been resolved between the parties and a Joint Settlement Agreement dated 18.02.2026 duly signed by the parties and signed by their respective counsel, has been filed.
2. The Joint Settlement Agreement dated 18.02.2026 reads as under: "It is submitted as follows:
''This settlement agreement is entered into on 18.02.2026 between the parties-WHEREAS,
1. The Petitioner filed G. W.O.P No.343 of 2025 before the Hon'ble High Court seeking Permanent and Sole custody of the minor child Sharada Maitreyi Iyer, born on 01-12-2014, currently aged 11 years.
2. The matter was referred to mediation at Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Centre vide an order dated 19.08.2025 passed by the Hon'ble Mr Justice K.Kumaresh Babu.
3. The parties agreed that Ms. Bala Natarajan, Advocate, would act as mediator. Several meetings were held during the process of mediation from 08.09.2025 to 18.02.2026 and the parties, with the assistance of the mediator, and
with the assistance of their respective counsels, have voluntarily arrived at an amicable solution resolving the dispute and difference related to the Custody and Guardianship and connected issues in G.W.O.P. No. 343 of 2025 filed by the petitioner.
4. The parties hereto confirm and declare that they have voluntarily and of their own free will arrived at this settlement agreement in the presence of the mediators.
5. Parties state that from this wedlock, they have one girl child, Sharada Maitreyi lyer, bom on 01-12-2014 and is presently aged about 11 years and is with the Petitioner.
6. The Respondent agrees that the petitioner Father shall have the sole and permanent custody of the minor child and the respondent will not claim custody of the child.
7. The parties state that a joint investment was made by both of them under the Portugal Golden Visa program. The total investment amounts to approximately 22.9 crore (about 308,000 Euros), of which the petitioner contributed around 22.1 crore for himself and for the minor child (about 220,230 Euros) while the respondent contributed approximately 283 lakhs (about 88,000 Euros).
8. The Petitioner agrees to apply for buyback / redemption of the said investment in the year 2027, when the investment gets unlocked and in accordance with the applicable rules of the investment vehicle or Policy. Upon receipt of the redeemed funds into the Petitioner's designated Portuguese bank account, the Petitioner shall
transfer the Respondent's share of the original investment amount in Indian Rupees to the Respondent within thirty
(30) days from the date such funds are credited. Axis Barik A/C. NO. 5161981445
9. The Parties expressly agree that the Petitioner shall not be liable for any delay arising from:
a) Regulatory or administrative timelines of the Portuguese authorities or fund managers, or b) Circumstances beyond the Petitioner's reasonable control.
10. By signing this agreement, the parties hereto state that they have no further claims or demands against each other with respect to G.W.O.P 343 of 2025 and all disputes and differences in this regard have been amicably settled by the parties hereto through the process of conciliation/ mediation.
Dated at Chennai on this 18th day of February, 2026''.
3. The said Joint Settlement Agreement dated 18.02.2026 is recorded.
4.This original petition stand disposed of in terms of the Joint Settlement Agreement dated 18.02.2026 and the said Joint Settlement Agreement shall form part of the decree. No costs. Consequently, connected OA. Nos.728 & 3355 of 2025 are closed.
26-02-2026 DN
P.DHANABAL J.
DN AND OA Nos. 728 & 3355 OF 2025 26-02-2026