The Bombay High Court on Monday took suo motu cognizance of the prolonged waiting period in adoption procedures across the country and sought a response from the Central government and the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). The court’s action comes in light of a media report highlighting the growing concerns of prospective adoptive parents facing years-long delays.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M.S. Karnik initiated a public interest litigation (PIL) after receiving a letter triggered by the news report, which revealed that the average adoption waiting period in India has now stretched beyond three years.
Observing the seriousness of the issue, the court appointed senior counsel Milind Sathe and advocate Gaurav Shrivastava as amicus curiae to assist in the proceedings.
The court also directed the Union Government and CARA to file detailed affidavits responding to the issues raised. The matter has been posted for the next hearing on June 23.
According to data cited in the news report, while more than 35,000 prospective parents are registered with CARA, only around 2,400 children are currently available for adoption—a significant mismatch contributing to the long delays.
