Manjhi in custody of grandmother: SC

New Delhi, Aug 20: A blessing or a curse, who is to decide??? Manjhi's fate still is uncertain as Supreme Court on Wednesday, Aug 20 extended surrogate baby Manjhi's custody to her grandmother till September 15.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and M K Sharma requested Solicitor-General of India G E Vahanvati to assist the court as several wider issues are to be decided if the girl was taken to Japan, whether she will be an Indian national or a Japanese national, whether she will be entitled to get passport and visa under the Indian law. The father's name has been entered in the column of parents' name. The court wanted to know whether this can be done.

Baby Manjhi who was born on Jul 25 was taken to Jaipur from Ahmedabad by her surrogate mother Preeti Ben in view of the bomb blast in Ahmedabad.

Rajasthan High Court directed the authorities to take custody of the baby and not to hand over the child to her surrogate parents Dr Yamada and his wife who are Japanese nationals.

The High Court order was issued on a petition filed by an NGO Satya who contended that surrogacy will encourage child trafficking.

The apex court while adjourning the hearing till September 15 also directed the petitioner Emiko Yamada to file her rejoinder by the next date of hearing.

The Supreme Court in a special sitting on August 14 had issued directions that the custody of the child will remain with her grandmother till August 20.

UNI