MUMBAI, April 29 -- The Bombay high court on Monday chose a caregiver over biological grandparents for the custody of a minor boy, an orphan, because of the "great bond" shared between the child and the caregiver. The court emphasised on the importance of the child's emotional needs, which overrides the biological ties. The eight-year-old lost his mother, Iona to Covid-19 and father, Jonny to an accident in 2021 and 2023 respectively. The minor has been staying with the caregiver ever since. The child's grandparents filed a guardianship petition in 2024, seeking his permanent custody stating their close relationship and financial stability to raise him. On the other hand, Iona's cousin, Steffi Genovevo Fernandes, who was engaged to Johnny before his death, was taking care of the minor after his mother's death. She claimed that after Johnny's death, his father had executed an affidavit in July 2023, giving his unconditional consent to Fernandes to be the minor's guardian and to keep his custody. Meanwhile, the boy's grandparents alleged that Fernandes was not allowing them to meet him. They lodged a complaint at the Kashimira police station in August 2023, demanding the boy's custody as his natural guardians. They also reached out to Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for help, in September 2023, which instructed the police to take the child to Janani Ashish Charitable Trust, a children's home in Dombivli. Fernandes challenged this by a criminal writ petition questioning the authority of CWC and police for the action taken and stated that it has impacted the child's emotional and physical health. The Bombay high court in November 2023, had issued an order in favour of Fernandes restoring the custody to her. However, in May 2024, the grandparents filed a fresh guardianship petition in the high court. Representing the grandparents, advocate Susan Abraham, held Fernandes responsible for disturbing the child's well-being by leaving him at the children's home in Dombivli. Counsel Sorankar, representing Fernandes, underscored that the child suffered in the children's home due to acomplaint raised by his grandparents . Giving paramount consideration to the child's welfare, the single-judge bench of justice RI Chagla stated that a balance has to be struck between attachment and sentiments of both the parties towards the minor. Observing that the minor is not old enough to form an intelligent preference, the court relied on the counsellor's report, which pointed out the vulnerable and indecisive behaviour of the child and his biological family and an unhealthy attachment to Fernandes for not socializing with any other person except her. Noticing the great bond between the child and the caregiver, the court observed that the child would be best suited with Fernandes, who would now be the child's guardian. It also appointed Fernandes as the competent person to pursue any proceedings as may be required or advised with respect to insurance scheme, PPF, Gratuity and any other claims of whatsoever nature of Johnny....