Stanislaus John Lopes v. Mildred Stanislaus Lopes (Female Minor)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION AND IN ITS GENERAL AND INHERENT JURISDICTION by JYOTI PRAKASH PAWAR Date:

2026.04.16 21:51:27 +0530 JYOTI PRAKASH PAWAR INDIAN ADOPTION PETITION NO. 19 OF 2026

1. Stanislaus John Lopes, aged 59 years and

2. Isabel Stanislaus Lopes, aged 55 years, both Indian Nationals, residing at Dream Bungalow, First Floor, Behind YMCA Hall, Manickpur, Vasai (West), Dist. Palghar - 401202 ..

Petitioners _____________________________________________ Mr. Rakesh K. L. Kapoor for the Petitioners.

Mr. O. Hareendran, Scrutiny Officer, ICSW present. Mr. Stanislaus John Lopes, Adoptive Father is present. Mrs. Isabel Stanislaus Lopes, Adoptive Mother is present. _____________________________________________ CORAM : FARHAN P. DUBASH, J.

DATE : 8th APRIL 2026 ORDER:

1.

By this Indian Adoption Petition, the Petitioners are seeking adoption of the female Mildred Stanislaus Lopes (Adoptee) born on 21st November 2001. The Petitioners had filed Indian Guardianship Petition No. 111 of 2002 to declare themselves as Guardians of the Adoptee pursuant to St. Catherine's Home, Mumbai, proposing the Adoptee in guardianship to

the Petitioners. The Guardianship Petition was allowed by this Court vide its order dated 11th September 2002. The said Guardianship Order is on record.

2.

The present Adoption Petition is filed by the Petitioners as per the judgment dated 27th October 1999, in the matter of female minor Doreen Theresa D'Souza in Manual Theodore D'Souza1. 3.

The Petitioners are Indian Nationals, residing at Vasai, Dist. Palghar, aged about 59 years and 55 years respectively. They have been married for the past 30 years and have no biological children. Their Latest Family Photograph and Memorandum of Marriage has been placed on record.

4.

The Medical Fitness Certificates dated 20th December 2025 of both the Petitioners are on record, and they state that they have no physical or mental illnesses and are healthy.

5.

Petitioner No. 1 is a Chartered Accountant, and he works from home. He also works as an Assistant Professor in St. Gonsalo Garcia College of Arts & Commerce; Vasai and his monthly (October-2025) gross salary is Rs. 2,40,175/-. His total income for the Assessment Year 2025-26 is 11999 SCC Online Bom 690

Rs.40,59,600/-. His Chartered Accountant Certificate, Salary Slips and Income Tax Returns are on record.

6.

Petitioner No. 2 is working as an Assistant Teacher at Holy Cross School in Mira Road and her gross monthly (August 2025) salary is Rs. 55,690/-. Her Pay Employment and Salary Certificate, Chartered Accountant Certificate and Income Tax Returns are on record. 7.

The Petitioners Copies of Pan and Aadhar Cards, Supportive financial documents, Proof of Residence and proof of investment in the name of the Adoptee are on record.

8.

The Home Study Report dated 16th September 2025, conducted by the Social Worker Ms. Clipsy Banji, BA, MSW, PGPDM, has found that the Petitioners have provided a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for the Adoptee. They are physically and mentally fit, financially secure and possess strong moral and family values. After all assessments, the social worker recommended that the Adoptee remain in their care, as they are fully capable of meeting her emotional, educational, and developmental needs, and of providing her with a wholesome and secure family life. The said Home Study report is on record. 9.

The follow up report of the Adoptee dated 16th September 2025 is on record and it states that the Adoptee is a healthy, cheerful, and

vibrant young woman, naturally friendly, kind-hearted, and generous. She has adjusted beautifully within the household and is well-accepted by the extended family. The Petitioners has embraced her wholeheartedly, providing a secure, loving and stable environment. She has completed her graduation in Commerce from Gonzalo Garcia College in Vasai, followed by an LLB from Thakur College, Mumbai. She is currently pursuing higher studies and has applied to Universities in the UK, with a focus on Criminal Law, reflecting her ambition and commitment to her academic and professional development.

10.

The Adoptee's Latest Photograph, Aadhar and Pan Card copies and consent to this adoption are on record. The Medical Certificate dated 20th December 2025 of the Adoptee is on record, and it states that she has no physical or mental illnesses and is healthy. The Recommendation letters in support of the adoption of the Adoptee from close friends are on record. 11.

Mr. O. Hareendran, Scrutiny Officer, has tendered a Report / Representation dated 8th April 2026 of the Indian Council of Social Welfare, which is taken on record and marked "X" for identification. 12.

The Petitioners, were present for today's hearing. From my interaction with them, I find that the Adoptee is well adjusted with the Petitioners. The material on record, including the Home Study Report and

Follow-up Report, indicates that the Adoptee is well integrated into the adoptive family.

13.

In these circumstances, the Petition is allowed in terms of prayer clauses (a) to (c) of the Petition, which read thus: - (a) That this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to declare the Petitioners as Adoptive Parents of the said female Mildred Stanislaus Lopes, under the guardianship of the Petitioners.

(b) That this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to condone the delay in filing the present petition.

(c) That the concerned Municipal Authority/Birth Certificate issuing Authority may be directed to issue Birth Certificate in the name of the said female Mildred Stanislaus Lopes, born on 21st November 2001 and stating that thereon that the Petitioners as the Parents of the said female Mildred Stanislaus Lopes.

14.

The Judge's Order is also accepted and separately signed. 15.

The Indian Adoption Petition is accordingly disposed of. ( FARHAN P. DUBASH, J. )