2026:BHC-OS:1754 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION JYOTI D by ig J i Y ta O ll T y I signed AND PRAKASHP P R AW AK A A R SH PAWAR Date: 2026.01.22

12:17:47 +0530 IN ITS GENERAL AND INHERENT JURISDICTION INDIAN ADOPTION PETITION NO. 3 OF 2026 St. Catherine’s Home, part of St. Catherine’s Society at Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai – 400 058 through its Superintendent/Authorized Signatory Sister Rosemaria Francis Vadakken … Petitioner And Ankush Purushottam Kurhadkar, aged 36 years, Occupation: Service And Papiya Ankush Kurhadkar, aged 38 years, Occupation: House Wife, Both Indian Nationals, residing at Illur Road, Near Damber Plant, Ward No. 2, Post Ashti, Tal. Chamorshi, Dist. Gadchiroli, Maharashtra – 442 707. …Prospective Adoptive Parents ______________________________________

Mr. Rakesh K. L. Kapoor for Petitioner.

Mr. O. Hareendran – Scrutiny Officer – ICSW Present.

Mr. Dilip S. Gurav, Chamber Registrar present.

_______________________________________

CORAM : FARHAN P. DUBASH, J.

DATE : 14^th JANUARY 2026 ORDER:

1. By this Indian Adoption Petition, the Petitioner Institution and the Proposed Adoptive Parents (“PAPs”) have sought adoption of a female minor named Laxmi ("the said female minor") born on or about 24^th November 2022. The said female minor is stated to have been surrendered by her biological mother before the Child Welfare Committee Mumbai Suburban-I, (“CWC”) on 2^nd December 2022 under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The Admission Order of the CWC is on record at Exhibit B-1 to the Petition.

2. After making the due inquiry under Section 38 of the said Act, the CWC, declared the said female minor "Legally Free for Adoption" on 2^nd February 2023. The Free for Adoption Certificate is on record at Exhibit B to the Petition.

3. The PAPs are Indian Nationals and permanent residents of Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India aged about 36 and 38 years respectively. They are stated to have been married for the past 11 years with no biological children.

4. Copies of the Aadhar Cards of the PAPs are on record at Exhibit D to the Petition.

5. The Motivation Letter of the PAPs is on record at Exhibit C-3 to the Petition.

6. The Medical Report dated 23^rd September 2025 of the PAPs is on record and states that both are not known to have any chronic diseases nor is under regular medications. On examination they are found to be generally good with normal vital signs. Their HIV and HBsAg Test Reports certify the case as non-reactive. These reports are at Exhibit C-2 to the Petition.

7. The Prospective Adoptive Father is working as a welder in “Denny Fabrication” since the past two years and his yearly salary is stated to be Rs.1,92,000/- inclusive of all allowances. His Employment/Salary Certificate is on record at Exhibit G to the Petition.

8. The Prospective Adoptive Mother is working as a homemaker.

9. The Financial Declaration, Supportive financial documents and Proof of Residence are on record at Exhibit G-1 to the Petition.

10. The Child Care Arrangement undertaking of the PAPs is on record at Exhibit E to the Petition.

11. The Home Study Reports dated 13^th December 2019 and 13^th December 2022 of the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (“CARINGS”) – Mr. Sathish Kumar Chauhan, Social Worker, has found the PAPs suitable to adopt a child. The said Home Study Reports of the PAPs are on record at Exhibit H and H-1 to the Petition.

12. The Child Security Undertaking dated 25^th June 2025 given by the Prospective Adoptive Parent’s cousin and sister-in-law residing at Gadchiroli, Maharashtra to look after the said female minor in case of any mishap to the PAPs is on record at Exhibit K to the Petition.

13. The Reference/Recommendation Letters from acquaintances in support of this adoption are on record at Exhibit I to the Petition.

14. The Medical Examination Report of the said female minor dated 31^st August 2023/9^th March 2023 states that