Vijaykumar R Bhate has filed a civil application in the High Court against the direction passed by the Family Court, Bandra. After Bhate's wife prevented his participation in the marriage ceremony, Bhate moved the Family Court, which stated that it had no jurisdiction to pass an order in such a matter.

According to the petitioner, represented by advocate N V Gangal, the marriage of his daughter Deepa is ``the most auspicious and delightful event of his life''. Since the marriage is being performed as per Vedic rites and rituals, the father plays an important role during Kanyadaan, which signifies the gifting of the daughter to the husband. The petition adds that there are certain vidhi in a Hindu marriage where the fathers of both the bridegroom and bride areindispensable, for instance, Saptapadi, an invocation before the sacred fire, where the father's presence is mandatory. In fact, even apex courts have held that saptapadi and homa are the essential factors of validity of marriage under the Hindu Law. Therefore, Bhate states that it is his moral and legal duty to attend his daughter's marriage.

According to the petitioner, his divorced wife has always prevented him from access to their daughters. However, he claims, the wife should set aside their matrimonial disputes for a single day and allow him to attend the function alongwith some friends. He has urged the court to consider his natural desire to not only attend the function but also grant gifts to the married couple.