The DelhiHigh Court has sought a response from the Centre on a plea by a woman seeking to hand over the custody of her adopted son to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) or another suitable organisation, citing her inability to care for him due to his intellectual disability and behavioural issues.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, in an order passed on September 17, 2026, issued notice to the authorities after the petitioner’s counsel submitted that she had adopted the boy through CARA in 2018.

The petitioner stated that she later discovered that the boy was “intellectually disabled and was indulging in inappropriate behaviour, including aggression, committing theft and was expelled from multiple schools”.

According to the plea, the petitioner lost her husband in 2021 and is currently living with her mother and sister. She told the court that the boy’s behaviour had made it difficult for her to continue taking care of him and sought directions for his custody to be transferred to CARA or another suitable organisation.

She has also sought directions from the authorities to ensure necessary medical care and treatment for the boy, stating that she was willing to bear the expenses to the extent of her financial capacity.

The Centre’s counsel accepted notice and sought time to obtain instructions and file a response. The court directed that a counter-affidavit, if any, be filed within one week, with an advance copy to the petitioner’s counsel.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 30.