$~167 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 17756/2025, CM APPL. 73400/2025 SHAILESH RAJPUT & ANR. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. P.S. Bindra (Sr. Adv) &

Mr.Arindam Mukherjee, Ms. Gargi Tuli, Ms. Khushi Chhetri, Mr. Jaskirat and Mr. Abhishek Kumar, Advs.

versus CENTRAL ADOPTION RESOURCE AUTHORITY & ORS.

.....Respondents Through: Ms. Saumya Tandon, CGSC, Mr.Gaurav Singh Sengar, Ms. P.Chandni, Mr. Sumit Bhargava, Ms.Chandni Godiyal, Advs. and Mr.Kamaldeep, GP for R-1.

Respondent no.4 (through VC).

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA

O R D E R

% 17.12.2025

1. The present petition has been filed by the petitioners, inter-alia, seeking that appropriate direction/s be issued to the respondent nos. 1 to 3 for processing Step-Parents Adoption Application bearing registration no.RSHR202410167728, initiated by the petitioner no.1 in respect of a minor girl child (Miss XXX Joshi) born out of the previous wedlock between the petitioner no.2 and respondent no.4.

2. It is stated that the petitioner no.2 married respondent no.4 on 23.11.2008 and out of the said wedlock Miss XXX Joshi was born. Due to irreconcilable matrimonial discord, the said marriage was dissolved by a decree of divorce dated 29.10.2015 passed in HMA No.811/15 by the Principal Judge, Family Court, New Delhi District, Patiala House, Delhi. Under the said decree, inter-alia, the custody of minor child was awarded to the petitioner no.2 with limited visitation rights to the respondent no.4. However, considering the absence of the respondent no.4 (i.e., biological father of the minor child) from the life of Miss XXX Joshi, the Family Court, Patiala House Courts, Delhi vide an order dated 31.07.2019 in HMA No.

811/15, terminated the Sid visitation rights.

3. It is further stated that in the meantime, the petitioner no.2 remarried petitioner no.1 on 25.02.2018. Thereafter, the petitioner no. 2 initiated “Step Parent Adoption”application under Registration no. RSHR202410167728 before the respondent no.1/ Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) in September 2024.

4. The present petition is based on an apprehension that the respondent no.4 (i.e., biological father of Miss XXX Joshi) will not provide the written consent, which is a pre-condition for processing/allowing the Step-Parent Adoption Application and as a result of which the said application will be impeded.

5. Today, in compliance with order dated 24.11.2025, passed in the present proceedings, the respondent no. 4 has joined the proceedings virtually. Respondent no.4submits that he has already given the no objection/permission for the purpose of processing/allowing the aforesaid Step-Parent Adoption application.

6. He also assures and undertakes to this Court that all documentation as may be required including by way of submitting the consent in the format prescribed under Schedule XX of the Adoption Regulations, 2022 (hereinafter referred as “Regulations, 2022”) shall be duly furnished by him.

He further submits that any other documentation as may be required by the respondent no.1/CARA as also the other governmental authority, shall also be duly furnished by him for the purpose of processing/allowing the concerned Step-Parent Adoption application. The said statement and undertaking is taken on record. The respondent no.4 shall remain bound therewith.

7. In the above circumstances, respondent nos. 1 to 3 are requested to expedite the processing of the concerned Step-Parent Adoption application and conclude the said exercise as expeditiously within the statutory timeframe as prescribed in the Regulations, 2022. Let an endeavour be made to conclude the process latest within a period of 2 months from today.

8. In the meantime, till conclusion of the aforesaid exercise, the direction contained in paragraph 10 of the order dated 24.11.2025 shall continue to operate.

9. The present petition stands disposed of in the above terms. Pending applications also stand disposed of.

10. Let a copy of this order be given dasti under t