'A Child’s Fate: How a Rejected Adoption Led to a Longing for a New Family'
At times, despite our best intentions and actions, outcomes don't align with our expectations and instead depart in unexpected directions. Some attribute this to destiny, while others attribute it to time.
Bal Asha Trust Mumbai v. Ashu Singhal & Riddhi Singhal
Indian Adoption Petition 20/2023
Before Bombay High Court
This is one such case where a minor male child was adopted by the Respondents in the year 2023 as per the order of the Court passed on 17.08.2023.
Just five months passed and adoptive parents complained to the Petitioner-Institution about the behavior and bad habits of the child. Adoptive parents apprised the Institution that the child had the habit of overeating and sometime eating from the dustbin as well.
Petitioner-Institution suggested adoptive parents to go for counselling.
Adoptive parents went through counselling.
As suggested by the Counsellor Adoptive parents took the child to the pediatrician who diagnosed child suffering from borderline levels of Leptin and Diabetes.
In the second counselling held on 18.11.2023, Counsellor found that the adoptive parents are not willing to keep the adoptive child as their own and take necessary remedial measures to rectify certain eating habits of the child.
Instead adoptive parents executed an affidavit on 02.12.2023 stating that they have not bonded well with the child as such want to return the child.
And are ready to follow the CARA Regulations and orders of the Court and authorities for the dissolution of the adoption.
Minor child was brought back to the Petitioner Institution on 02.12.2023.
Looking into the Affidavit submitted by the adoptive parents and submission of the Executive Director- Bal Asha Trust and in the interest of the male minor child Hon’ble Mr. Justice R I Chagla J on 25.01.2024 recalled the earlier order and annulled the adoption of the male minor child.
The Court also directed Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) to re-register the minor male child as ‘Free for Adoption’ and for identifying suitable adoptive parents at the earliest.
The investment of Rs.2,00,000/- which was made by the adoptive parents for the welfare of the minor male child was directed to be returned to the prospective adoptive parents, as prayed for by the adoptive parents.
