BAL ASHA TRUST Vs. ARJUN PENGAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Kapoor, learned Counsel for the Petitioner, and Mr. Hareendran, Scrutiny Officer, Indian Council of Social Welfare (ICWS), in the Chambers through a VC hearing.

(2.) The petition proposes adoption of a female minor child by the name of Shravani, born on 1 March 2019. The child was surrendered by the grandmother of minor mother before the Child Welfare Committee, Palghar on 27 November 2019. The 'legally free for adoption' order was passed by the Child Welfare Committee, Palghar after inquiry under Sec. 38 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 ("Act") on 24 February, 2020. The same is placed on record.

(3.) The proposed adoptive parents are Indian nationals residing at Koperkhairne, Navi Mumbai. They are aged about 41 and 40 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 that both of them have always dreamt of being parents and being aware that adoption is a great option of becoming parents, have decided to adopt the child. The decision of the Adoption Committee meeting, held online on 29 July 2020, granting in principle approval for adoption, subject to furnishing documents mentioned therein, has been placed on record. It is submitted that the documents since have been submitted to the Committee and the committee has given its final approval for the referral. The final approval of the committee has been furnished at the hearing before this court and has been taken on record, marked 'X' for identification.