Mumbai: A draft guideline prepared by a
committee appointed by Bombay High Court to regulate adoption
of Indian children by foreign nationals stated that a single
parent is eligible for adoption, but not a same-sex couple.
Also, the committee has contemplated that the child would
have to be examined by a psychologist before the adoption.
The guidelines -- yet to be finalised -- also contemplate
a role for Indian embassies, in the cases where the adoption
runs into a trouble.
The prospective foreign parent should be between 30 and
55 years of age, the draft said, adding, thought "same-sex
couples are not eligible to adopt", but "single parents (never
married, widowed, divorced) up to 45 years can adopt".
Before a child is given in adoption, a Recognised Indian
Placement Agency (RIPA) -- through which the children would be
placed for adoption -- will have the child examined by a
psychologist, who will certify that the child is mentally fit,
and "is capable of assimilating in a foreign country".
The prospective parent will have to deposit Rs 2.5 lakh
with in "inter country adoption child welfare fund".
RIPAs can charge the foreign parents a fee of not more
than USD 3,500. Beyond this, they will not accept any money.
The High Court today sought statistic of children adopted
by foreigners in the last three years, specially children with
special needs, and adjourned hearing for three weeks.
-PTI
