Indian adoption laws do not permit a child who parents/parent is alive to be adopted by any party other than government agencies, say legal experts.
Four-year-old Dhruta has too many friends now, but too little help coming. After her stepmother Vaishali Kurlekar allegedly tortured her to a point where she had to be hospitalised with a fractured arm, there seems to be a big rush among neighbours, relatives and even politicians to ‘adopt’ her. Easier said than done.
Indian adoption laws do not permit a child who parents/parent is alive to be adopted by any party other than government agencies, say legal experts.
According to advocate N Rajurkar, the question is not about adopting Dhruta but prevention of cruelty and torture that she was subjected to.
“All those making promises about Dhruta’s future are not addressing the basic problem. It should first be determined whether she needs to be adopted or needs a guardian,” he said.
“In case Dhruta needs a guardian, the problem can be solved by sending her to a hostel. Her father has not disowned her and is ready to take her care.”
On Friday, NCP MLC Jitendra Awhad visited Dhruta and condemned the incident.
Resident of Vijay Park Rahul Gupte, who claimed to have rescued Dhruta from her stepmother and admitted her to the Civil Hospital, keep her isolated from the media.
Gupte and social worker Fernnie Ronnie took over the girl’s custody. According to local sources, they were objecting to Dhruta being adopted by her maternal grandmother Sampati Ravat, a resident of Kandivli who came to meet her on Friday.
Meanwhile, the police said her father Manoj and stepmother Vaishali were untraceable for the last two days. The Kapurbavdi police said they were helpless as Vaishali had been been released on bail by the court.
“We are trying to register an offence against them and arrest them again,” said assistant police inspector DN Patil. Police inspector JR Kamble is now investigating the matter.
Sources said that cops had got the injury certificate from Civil Hospital, which details the nature of injuries Dhruta sustained during the alleged torture. Police sources said the investigators had decided to book the couple under Section 307 of the IPC—or attempt to murder.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}