New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has directed a squabbling UK-based NRI couple to take psychiatric help in that country to settle their matrimonial dispute and custodial rights of their three-and-half year-old daughter.
A bench of Justices Altamas Kabir and Cyriac Joseph passed the order while disposing off an appeal filed by Shilpa Aggarwal who allegedly fled from the UK to India along with her daughter Elina in 2008 following matrimonial differences with husband Aviral Mittal.
"Within 15 days of the appellant's (wife) arrival in the UK, both the appellant and the respondent shall undergo psychiatric evaluation and treatment and shall also participate in marriage counselling programmes," the court directed.
It was Shilpa's plea in the court that if she was to return to the UK, her husband must undergo psychiatric treatment. The court instead directed both to take such treatment.
The apex court had earlier on December 9, 2009 directed the couple to return to the UK to settle their child custody battle.