Paid adoption of child: Custody to be decided by court

Ludhiana: A biological mother of a baby boy has filed a complaint against the family who “adopted” her child by “paying”

money, asking them to return it, district child welfare officer of Nawanshahar has maintained that it will be the court which will

take decision on the legality of adoption process.

Meanwhile, the baby remains with the adopted parents as the child welfare committee (CWC) has declared them fit to keep the

baby till the matter is decided.

In a unique case, the fate of a four-month-old baby hangs in balance as his mother, who belongs to Machhiwara, wants him

back from the adopted family. She claimed that her husband had allegedly sold the baby to the family for Rs 50,000 because of

addiction and poverty.

After the matter was brought to the notice of Nawanshahar deputy commissioner, he marked the enquiry to district child

welfare officer (DCWO) Kanchan Arora, who is probing the matter.

DCWO Arora said the hearing of the case by CWC was held on Thursday and both the biological and the adopted parents

appeared, along with one of the women who had got the child adopted. She added that since two other women, who were

among the three mediators, did not appear, they will write to police for calling them for next meeting, which will be held in

about a week’s time.

DCWO said till the meeting happens, the CWC has considered the adopted parents fit for keeping the baby. She added that as

the adoption was done according to HAMA (Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act), and the give and take ceremony did

happen, the custody of the baby is to be got from the court.

“After hearing the mediators, most probably we will forward the case to the court, which will decide who will be given the final

custody of the baby,” said the officer. DCWO officials said the couple had adopted the baby, as they did not have child even

after 14 years of marriage. They added that the family adopted the child through an acquaintance and agreed to pay delivery

charges of it’s mother.

DCWO officials added that later the two parties got affidavit made and witnesses signed on it on February 26. They added that

the couple claimed before the committee that they couldn’t get the adoption completed in tehsildar office or district courts,

which is a must under HAMA, as they were celebrating the arrival of baby and then lockdown happened. The couple had told

the committee that they do not want to give up the baby, as they have developed an emotional attachment with it.

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