In an unusual legal battle, a couple from Karnataka found themselves in a court dispute over the name of their newborn son, a conflict that escalated to the point where they were considering divorce. The dispute, which began in 2021, highlights how a simple disagreement over a child’s name can grow into a significant issue, requiring court intervention.
The saga began when the woman, who has not been named, gave birth to a boy and went to stay at her parents’ house to rest, a common practice in India after childbirth. Normally, the husband would visit to bring both mother and child back home. However, when the woman refused to accept the name her husband had chosen for their son, tensions flared. Upset by her decision, the husband never went to bring her back. In defiance, the woman chose the name “Adi” for their child, a combination of the first letter of her name and part of her husband’s name.
As months passed, the couple’s relationship deteriorated. The woman, still living with her parents, sought financial support from her husband and approached the local court in Hunsur, Mysuru district. Her lawyer, MR Harish, explained that the situation had worsened to the point where she was now seeking a divorce. She requested maintenance money, as she was a homemaker, and needed financial assistance.
The case, initially filed in the local court, was transferred to the Lok Adalat, or People’s Court, which focuses on resolving disputes through mediation. Despite numerous attempts by judges to reconcile the couple, the disagreement over their child’s name remained unresolved for years. Finally, after mediation, the couple agreed to a name suggested by the court. The child was given the name “Aryavardhana,” meaning “of nobility,” a name that symbolized a fresh start for the family.
Following this resolution, the couple participated in a traditional Indian ceremony, exchanging garlands as a symbol of reconciliation. They left the court with the intention of continuing their marriage.
This case is not the first time an Indian court has been asked to intervene in a naming dispute. In another case in Kerala, a mother struggled to register her child’s birth because the father, from whom she was separated, was absent. The high court directed the authorities to accept the mother’s suggested name and include the father’s details on the birth certificate.
