By IANS
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed the Child Welfare Department of Delhi to take possession of an infant who was allegedly sold to a childless couple by an agency for Rs.23,000.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice M.K. Sarma directed the authorities to take the infant and take care of him till the disposal of the petition.
Pulling up the trial court, which had directed the couple to take care of child, the court said, “It was against the law.”
“Unfortunately, the magistrate ignored the provisions of Law,” the court commented.
The baby, given birth allegedly by a minor who was a rape victim, was sold by a placement agency in Punjabi Bagh in West Delhi. The mother was working as a maid with a family.
While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO, the court said the adoption procedure was illegal and the matter should have been tried in a juvenile court instead of a magistrate court.
The couple along with the child were present in the court during the hearing of the petition.