Adopted Child Cannot be Denied Caste of Adoptive Parents: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court held that an adopted child is entitled to the caste status of the adoptive parents.

The case arose from a petition by a woman whose adopted son was denied a caste validity certificate despite earlier recognition under her Special Backward Category.

The Court observed that once adoption is completed under the Juvenile Justice Act, the child becomes the legal child of the adoptive parents with all corresponding rights. It held that adoption severs ties with the biological family and creates a new legal relationship with the adoptive family.

The Court said denial of caste recognition would leave the child’s future uncertain and directed issuance of a caste validity certificate within four weeks.