District Magistrate Patna oversees child adoption under legal guidelines

Patna: Following the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Adoption Guidelines 2022, District Magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh facilitated the adoption of a child in Patna. A total of 123 children have been legally adopted in the district since 2018-19.

The child, who was abandoned near NMCH Hospital at the age of 10 days, was residing at “Srijani” Vishesh Adoption Institute under the District Child Protection Unit, Patna. The adoption was finalized by a couple from Buxar, Bihar. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 was amended to authorize District Magistrates to issue adoption orders, streamlining the process.

Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh emphasized the administration’s commitment to helping orphaned children find families. He assured couples wishing to adopt that the district administration would provide all necessary support. He urged the public to follow legal adoption procedures to protect the rights of children.

Adopting a child illegally or bypassing the legal framework is punishable under the Juvenile Justice Act. Violators could face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Residents are encouraged to report information about abandoned or orphaned children to the Child Line Service at 1098 or the local police station.