A petition in the Delhi High Court challenges the modifications made to the Adoption Regulations under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Justice Pratibha M. Singh was hearing a plea by Jesi Jeevarathinam, who has two biological children and had applied to adopt a child in December 2020.
The changes in the Regulations prevent parents who already have "two children" from adopting a child without any disabilities, as defined by the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act.
It is Jeevarathinam's case that she had applied for the adoption of a third child under the Adoption Regulations, 2017, which was in effect at that time and only prohibited parents with "three or more children" from adopting a child without any disabilities.
The petitioner has argued that the decision by the Steering Committee Resource Authority to implement the Adoption Regulations, 2022 with retrospective effect is arbitrary, unreasonable, and violates Article 14 of the Constitution.
Justice Singh, after reviewing the case, directed the authorities to maintain the petitioner's name on the waiting list and said that if the petitioner becomes eligible for adoption under either the 2017 or 2022 regulations, she must be notified accordingly.
Furthermore, the court ordered the restoration of the petitioner's seniority in the list within one week and listed the case for hearing next on July 12, along with a similar matter.
The plea highlights that "the 2022 Regulations came into force on 23rd September 2022 i.e., the date of the notification in official Gazette. The said Regulations do not provide for retrospective implementation and hence, the Committee's decision to implement the Regulations retrospectively is contrary to the settled law that any Statute/Rules/Regulations have a prospective operation unless the Statute/Rules/Regulations specifically provide for its retrospective operation".
They damage the nation abroad: EAM Jaishankar slams Rahul’s ‘falsehood’ on ‘Trump invite’ claims
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday hit back at the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his claims that the former went to the United States of America to get an invitation for Donald Trump’s inauguration, stating that such falsified statements only go on to harm the ‘interests and reputation’ of the country abroad.
Positive impact of regular contacts evident in India-Russia strategic partnership: President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday asserted that the "positive impact" of regular contacts is evident in the broader 'India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' which continues to benefit significantly from the ongoing interaction at various levels.
Over to voters: High-decibel campaign for Delhi election ends
Campaigning for the most hotly contested Assembly election in Delhi ever ended at 5 p.m. on Monday, drawing curtains on months-long, high-decibel electioneering replete with AI-generated memes, acerbic jibes and venomous barbs and a race to woo voters with freebies, including monthly doles to women and the youth.
Rahul Gandhi’s rare praise for ‘Make In India’ project in LS, followed by jibe
Congress MP and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Monday made a rare praise for the ‘Make In India’ program, even commending the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing in the ‘good idea’ but then went to disapprove it by calling it ‘damp squib’.
Govt likely to introduce new income tax bill on Feb 6
After the revision in tax slabs in the Union Budget 2025-26 to leave 'enough money in the hands' of taxpayers, the government is likely to unveil the much-anticipated draft of the new Income Tax Bill on February 6.
10 TN fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy; mechanised boat seized
Ten fishermen from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Monday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Maha Kumbh: Spiritual leaders, devotees celebrate Basant Panchami with Amrit Snan
On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj for the much-awaited Amrit Snan (holy bath), marking a significant spiritual milestone.
Delhi Assembly polls: Campaigning to end today; parties make final push
The high-voltage campaigning for the Delhi Assembly elections will come to an end at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, with all three major political parties, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, making their final efforts to woo voters.