Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Andhra Pradesh High Court Tells Police to Avoid Matrimonial Dispute
An Andhra Pradesh court considered a disagreement between a husband and wife about their marriage and children.
The husband said police were getting involved and asking him to bring the children.
The wife said she had been mistreated and wanted to see the children.
She had already asked another court for visitation rights.
The judge said questions about civil and family disputes should generally be decided by courts.
The judge said police should not interfere when no crime requires their involvement.
The government said police had only served a notice related to a criminal case.
The High Court ordered authorities not to interfere in the family dispute or insist that the children appear, except as allowed by law.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court directed police not to interfere in a pending matrimonial dispute or insist that children appear.
Justice Sunitha Gandham said resolving civil disputes is the judiciary’s role and police lack such authority.
The husband alleged police harassment and pressure to produce his children in connection with related cases.
The wife said her husband and his family had harassed her and taken custody of the children.
The government said police had only served the husband notice in a criminal case and had not demanded the children’s presence.
- Who
- A 44-year-old man, his estranged wife, the Andhra Pradesh High Court, and the police were involved.
- What
- The High Court directed police not to interfere in the matrimonial dispute or insist on the children’s presence, except in accordance with law.
- When
- The order was issued on September 2; the year was not specified.
- Where
- The matter was heard by the Andhra Pradesh High Court; related proceedings were mentioned before the Telangana High Court and a family court in Ranga Reddy district.
- Why
- The husband alleged police interference in civil and matrimonial disputes, while the government said police involvement was limited to a criminal-case notice.
Husband’s and Court’s Position
Wife’s and Government’s Position
Police involvement
Husband’s and Court’s Position
The husband alleged that police used a related case to interfere in the matrimonial dispute, harass him, and insist that he produce the children. The High Court said police cannot resolve civil disputes.
Wife’s and Government’s Position
The government said police had not interfered in the matrimonial dispute or insisted on the children, but had only served the husband a notice connected with a criminal case.
Custody and access to children
Husband’s and Court’s Position
The husband said the couple had settled their disputes and that he had paid substantial permanent alimony; he alleged continued harassment involving him, the children, and his parents.
Wife’s and Government’s Position
The wife said her husband and his family had harassed her and taken custody of the children. Her counsel argued that she had a right to see them and had a visitation application pending before the district court.
Where the dispute should be decided
Husband’s and Court’s Position
The High Court held that civil and matrimonial issues should be presented to the judiciary, not handled through police intervention.
Wife’s and Government’s Position
The wife’s counsel argued that her visitation claim should be considered by the district court, where the relevant application was pending.
- Court
- Andhra Pradesh High Court
- Judge
- Justice Sunitha Gandham
- Order date
- September 2; year not specified
- Marriage
- The couple married in 2014, and it was a second marriage for both, according to the husband.
- Children
- The couple had two children.
- Related proceedings
- Cases included a 2020 complaint, a habeas corpus petition, and guardianship, custody, and visitation proceedings.
- Court direction
- Police were told not to interfere in the matrimonial dispute or insist on the children’s presence, except according to law.