“Not Emotions, Law is Supreme”: Telangana High Court Rejects Custody Claim in Illegal Adoption Case

The Telangana High Court has refused to grant custody of a child to a couple involved in an illegal adoption, holding that emotional bonding cannot override statutory safeguards.

The Court ruled that adoptions carried out outside the legally prescribed framework cannot be regularised, as doing so would legitimise child trafficking. The Court noted that the couple procured the child through unlawful means, in violation of CARA guidelines and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

Emphasising that law must prevail over sentiment, the Court warned that any deviation from the legal adoption process would encourage trafficking and undermine child protection mechanisms.

The writ petition seeking restoration of custody was accordingly dismissed.