In a significant ruling reinforcing the rights of single mothers and children born of sexual assault, the Bombay High Court has held that a mother raising a child alone can be recognised as the sole guardian and that linking a child’s identity to an uninvolved father violates constitutional principles. The decision was delivered on February 2 by a division bench at the Aurangabad seat, comprising Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Hiten Venegavkar.