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This story is from February 3, 2023

Soliciter general found couple who are ready to adopt to-be-born kid

Soliciter general found couple who are ready to adopt to-be-born kid
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court and Union government’s law officers on Thursday went beyond call of duty to ensure succour and care for an unwed pregnant BTech student after All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) opined that termination of pregnancy with a fully developed foetus could cause serious threat to lives of the mother and the baby.
The 21-year-old BTech student, due to appear for her final semester, has left hostel to stay with a relative after her pregnancy became noticeable.
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She had lost her father due to Covid and her mother too has a serious medical issue, her counsel Amit Mishra informed the court.
After the AIIMS medical panel opined against abortion saying it posed risk to the lives of both mother and the child in womb, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, as requested by the court, had remained in regular touch with her. Bhati had even contacted the student’s recently married sister to inquire whether she would adopt the to-be-born child. But she declined.
Bhati informed a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala that till the student is required to be admitted to the AIIMS for delivery purposes, she would happily accommodate her at her residence, a gesture that was appreciated by the court.
Solicitor general Tushar Mehta too had intervened at a personal level and found a “very good young couple” registered with Central Adoption Resources Authority (CARA). He told the bench that the couple is willing to adopt the to-be-born child. However, he requested that the names of the adopting parents be kept secret from court records as well as from the biological mother.
“The child would get a very good upbringing with the adopting young couple. However, the adoption process specified by CARA, to ensure genuineness of adoption needs and capabilities of the new parents, is complex and time consuming. The Court could consider directing CARA to expeditiously complete the adoption procedures for the to-be-born child,” Mehta requested.

Mishra informed the court that the student is in a very distressed state and that something urgent needs to be done to provide her mental security as well as physical care. The AIIMS panel had also in its report advised psychiatric assistance for the girl.
The CJI-led bench called the SG, the ASG and Mishra to the chamber. After discussing the extraordinary case, it decided to invoke the SC’s inherent powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to direct the AIIMS to admit the pregnant woman to the hospital and take care of her health till the childbirth and post-pregnancy recovery period.
The bench also permitted the young couple to become adoptive parents and asked CARA to complete the formalities expeditiously as required after the birth of the child. The bench also ordered that the name and address of the adoptive parents be kept secret in all public records. In the afternoon, Bhati informed the court that the student is very happy with the SC's order. The CJI said, "I am so relieved. I was stressed and worried for her the whole afternoon. We must thank you (Bhati) for resolving the complex humane problem."
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