New Delhi: Supreme Court child adoption delay came under sharp focus after the top court criticised the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) for holding up a relative adoption case. The Bench said a family member trying to adopt a child should not face unnecessary roadblocks. The case involves a maternal aunt living in the United States, whose adoption approval abroad is set to expire soon. The court’s remarks have again raised questions about delays, red tape, and how India handles inter-country relative adoption cases.
Details of Child Adoption Delay Case
The Supreme Court heard a plea filed by a maternal aunt living in the US who wants to adopt her relative’s child. Her application was reportedly rejected by CARA, the statutory body that regulates adoption in India, especially inter-country adoptions.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer told the court that the US approval linked to the adoption is valid only until July 20. Because of this deadline, the matter was presented as urgent.
A Bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned why authorities were blocking the process when a close family member was trying to adopt the child. The Bench described CARA’s approach as “very negative” and “not acceptable.”
Child Adoption Delay Case: Court Key Direction
According to reports from the hearing, the court strongly criticised the delay and said such cases should not get trapped in bureaucratic red tape. The judges made it clear that a genuine family adoption request must be handled with care and speed, especially when the child’s future is involved.
The court also indicated that this was not the first time such issues had come up in adoption matters involving children being taken abroad by relatives. It warned that authorities cannot quietly defeat an adoption request simply by delaying the process.
The Bench asked CARA to file its reply and listed the matter for further hearing on July 13.
What is CARA
Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is India’s central adoption authority. It works under the Ministry of Women and Child Development and handles adoption rules, approvals, and coordination in many domestic and inter-country adoption cases. CARA’s role includes:
- Regulating adoption procedures in India
- Managing inter-country adoption cases
- Issuing required approvals and no-objection documents in eligible cases
- Ensuring the child’s welfare and legal safeguards are protected
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