M.S.W.C Adoption Group v. Ramkrishna Shantaram Mangeshkar And ANR

1/4

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION AND IN ITS GENERAL AND INHERENT JURISDICTION INDIAN ADOPTION PETITION NO.41 OF 2021 WITH JUDGE'S ORDER NO.765 OF 2021 M.S.W.C. Adoption Group at M.S.W.C. Asha Sadan Balgruh ...

Petitioner

Versus

Ramkrishna Shantaram Mangeshkar Sheetal Ramkrishna Mangeshkar ...

Co-Petitioners/Proposed Adoptors .....

Ms. Dipal Sanjanwala Mehta for the Petitioner. Mr. O. Hareendran, Security Officer, Indian Council of Social Welfare, present.

.....

CORAM : S.C. GUPTE, J.

(IN CHAMBERS) DATE : 30 APRIL 2021 P.C. :

.

Heard Ms. Mehta, learned Counsel for the Petitioner, and Mr. Hareendran, Scrutiny Officer, Indian Council of Social Welfare (ICWS), in the Chambers through a VC hearing. The petition proposes adoption of a female minor child by the

2/4 name of Liya, born on 5 March 2020. The child was surrendered by the biological mother before the Child Welfare Committee, Mumbai City-I on 16 March 2020. The 'legally free for adoption' order was passed by the Child Welfare Committee, Mumbai City-I after inquiry under Section 38 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 ("Act") on 29 September 2020. The same is placed on record.

The proposed adoptive parents are Indian nationals residing at Caranzalem, Goa. They are aged about 50 and 45 years, respectively, having been married for the past 9 years with no biological child. The motivation letter of the proposed adopters has been placed on record, stating inter alia their inability to have a biological child despite being married for nine years and hence, their decision to adopt the child. The decision of the Adoption Committee dated 22 January 2021 has also been placed on record inter alia confirming the suitability of the adoptive parents to adopt the minor child. An affidavit by the Chief Functionary of the Specialized Adoption Agency, that is, the Petitioner herein, has also been placed on record. The prospective adoptive father has been working as a Police Inspector with Goa Police since last 9 years with a monthly gross salary of over Rs.55,000/-, whilst the prospective adoptive mother is a Junior Stenographer with Administrative Tribunal of Goa at Panaji since last 7 years having monthly gross salary of over Rs.60,000/-.

3/4 Financial documents, such as salary slips, ID Card and income tax returns, have been placed on record together with proof of residence and other supportive documents.

Medical reports of the adoptive parents showing that they are in good health for adopting the child, along with their negative HIV and other test reports, have also been placed on record. A home study report showing self assessment as well as an assessment report of a social worker of Caritas-Goa, Panjim has also been placed on record. The report of the social worker has considered and found them to be suitable for adopting a child. Child security undertaking, furnished by the sister and brotherin-law of the adoptive father, both residing at Panaji, Goa, offering to look after the minor child in case of any mishap to the prospective adoptive parents, has been placed on record.

A medical examination report of the minor, indicating the child to be a normal and healthy infant, which has been countersigned by the prospective parents, has been placed on record, together with declaration of consent and willingness of the prospective adoptive parents. Health certificates, such as negative HIV report, of the minor have been placed on record.

4/4 Considering the material placed on record, some of which has been referred to above, and compliances noted as above, this Court is of the view that the adoption petition deserves to be allowed. The report of the Scrutiny Officer, dated 26 March 2021, is taken on record, marked 'X' for identification.

The petition is, accordingly, allowed in terms of prayer clauses (a) to (e).

In accordance with the practice note of this court for Indian adoptions, the prospective adoptive parents have offered to make an investment in the name of the minor child in the sum of Rs.2 lacs and submit a report of such investment.

A separate Judge's Order for appointing the prospective adopters as adoptive parents of the minor Liya is signed by this Court today. (S.C. GUPTE, J.)