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Judgment
Odgers, J.—In this case the minor''s guardian was the mother, the present petitioner, appointed on 29th November, 1919. Some time
before that the minor lived with 2nd respondent, her uncle, presumably against the wishes of the mother. The girl was returned to the mother on
18th December, 1919 and the present application is by the mother for the return of two jewels said to have been on the person of the minor when
she went to 2nd respondent. The mother''s attitude is a peculiar one. She denies having put in any such application and now says the District Judge
has acted without jurisdiction. I think he has. The mother is no doubt a person interested in the minor u/s 43(1) of the Guardians and Wards Act
but it is only the conduct or proceedings of any guardian appointed or declared by Court which can be called in question. The 2nd respondent has
ceased at the end of 1919 to be even a de facto guardian and was not such at the date of the application by the mother in 1922. The case
therefore in Wallace Sitha Bai v. Wallace Radha Bai (1918) 36 MLJ 189 has no application.
The learned District Judge has proceeded on the powers conferred by Section 43 of the Act. But as pointed out in Komma Somakka v.
Kovidala Pedda Ramiah (1911) 10 MLT 483 the Act does not profess to give the District Court any power or authority over persons other than
the guardian of the minor except in certain instances which do not apply here. I therefore think in the circumstances of this case the District Judge
acted without jurisdiction and he had no right to call upon 2nd respondent to deliver up the jewels u/s 43 of the Guardians and Wards Act. I think
interference is called for and I allow the Civil Revision Petition and set aside the order of the District Judge with costs.