TEMPLE OF HEALING Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) During the course of the deliberations before this Court, we have had the assistance of Ms Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Solicitor General. Dr Jagannath Pati, Director, Central Adoption and Re Agency (CARA) is also present in the Court. Besides filing an affidavit dealing with the issue of adoption under the Juvenile Justice Act, CARA has placed certain suggestions for the consideration of the Court.

(2.) Among others, we have also heard Dr Piyush Saxena, who appears in person, Mr Rohan Shah, counsel appearing on behalf of the Petitioner, Ms Saroj Tripathi, and Mr Abdul Azeem Lakebudde, counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents.

(3.) In terms of the mandate of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and CARA Regulations 2022, cases involving adoption relate to children who are either orphaned, abandoned or surrendered (OAS). CARA has developed, in conjunction with the National Informatics Centre, the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (abbreviated by the acronym "CARINGS"). The platform which was initially designed in 2015 and updated in 2022 seeks to ensure that adoptions under the Juvenile Justice Act are brought under an online platform.