law: Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956
  6.Natural guardians of a Hindu minor.-
  The natural guardians of a Hindu, minor, in respect of the
  
  minor's person as well as in respect of the minor's property (excluding his or
  
  her undivided interest in joint family property), are-
  (a) in the case of a boy or an unmarried girl-the father, and
  
  after him, the mother: provided that the custody of a minor who has not
  
  completed the age of five years shall ordinarily be with the mother;
  (b) in the case of an illegitimate boy or an illegitimate
  
  unmarried girl-the mother, and after her, the father;
  (c) in the case of a married girl-the husband;
  Provided that no person shall be entitled to act as the
  
  natural guardian of a minor under the provisions of this section-
  (a) if he has ceased to be a Hindu, or
  (b) if he has completely and finally renounced the world by
  
  becoming a hermit ( vanaprastha ) or an ascetic (yati or sanyasi )
  Explanation.- In this section, the expressions 'father' and
  
  'mother' do not include a step-father and a step-mother.
  Comment: Mother can act as natural guardian of minor
  
  even when father is alive: Ms. Githa  Hariharan v. Reserve Bank of India AIR 1999 SUPREME COURT
  
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