Bombay High Court Orders Children’s Custody to Adoptive Parents

The Bombay High Court ordered the Child Welfare Committee to return custody of three children to their adoptive parents. Despite the lack of legal adoption, the court emphasized the children’s best interests. The case highlighted issues with adherence to the Central Adoption Resource Authority protocols and previous custody orders.

The Bombay High Court has directed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to return custody of three children to their adoptive parents. Despite the parents not having legally adopted the children, the court emphasized prioritizing the children's best interests.

In a ruling dated July 22, Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande noted that the children, aged between one and a half years and three years, had been with their adoptive parents since infancy. The court ruled on petitions challenging the CWC's order to place the children under NGO Baal Asha Trust.

The Police had earlier registered a case under the Indian Penal Code and the Juvenile Justice Act, alleging illegal adoption. However, the court noted execution of notarised Adoption Deeds by petitioners, stressing the non-adherence to Central Adoption Resource Authority protocols. The judgment underscored the importance of considering the well-being and integration of the children into their adoptive families.