A specially-abled child from Karnataka's Gangamma Chikumbimath Orphanage has been adopted by an Italian couple, after being rescued from a garbage dump.

A specially-abled child from the Gangamma Chikumbimath Orphanage in Karnataka's Belagavi, has found a new home after being adopted by an Italian couple. Abandoned by his biological parents, the young boy was rescued from a garbage dump and now set to begin a new life with a loving family in Italy.

An Italian couple adopted a child from Karnataka's Belagavi who was left by his biological parents in a garbage dump. ((Pic for representation))

Authorities revealed that the newborn was discovered in a garbage heap, prompting the intervention of the local Child Development Project Officer (CDPO). The infant was immediately taken to Belagavi's BIMS Hospital for urgent medical care. Once stabilized, he was transferred to KLE's Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre for further treatment. Upon recovery, the district child protection office entrusted his care to the Gangamma Chikumbimath Orphanage, where he received continued support and rehabilitation.

By Vivian J. Salles Vieira Pinto 

Introduction

The case of Mitrevska v. North Macedonia, judged by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR/Court) in 2024, contributes significantly to the field of adoption law. The case arose from allegations that domestic authorities had failed to ensure the applicant’s right to private life by denying access to information concerning her biological family and childhood, as her adoption was automatically deemed an “official secret”. The Court found a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR/Convention) and emphasised the importance of properly identifying and balancing competing rights in cases of adoption. 

The ECtHR previously addressed adult adoptees’ access to information in cases such as Odièvre v. France (2003) or Godelli v. Italy (2012), where non-identifying information was crucial in circumstances of anonymous birth. At first glance, Mitrevska seems similar to previous case-law, putting access to biological information of adult adoptees under the spotlight. However, a more in-depth analysis of the case reveals broader implications for adoption law and procedural guarantees that are noteworthy. Mitrevska demonstrates, in practice, the importance of access to medical information for adult adoptees particularly in situations where medical information is required for proper diagnosis and treatment of hereditary diseases. This judgment stands out as it could result in at least two valuable paradigm shifts in the field of adoption law: a) a broader conceptualisation of adoptees’ right to know, encompassing a comprehensive right to health, and b) the absence of a presumption of anonymity in adoption procedures. In other words, on the basis of Mitrevska, it can be argued that the right to know of adoptees implies a wider range of medical information pertaining to the biological family and States should actively work towards identifying interests at stake in relationships shaped by adoption, rather than simply adopting a blanket approach that uses anonymity as a standard practice. This post explores how Mitrevska impacts adult adoptees’ rights, particularly in terms of access to biological information and discusses some practical implications.

Summary of the Case 

Executive Order 14216 of February 18, 2025

Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose and Policy. Today, many hopeful couples dream of starting a family, but as many as one in seven are unable to conceive a child. Despite their hopes and efforts, infertility struggles can make conception difficult, turning what should be a joyful experience into an emotional and financial struggle. My Administration recognizes the importance of family formation, and as a Nation, our public policy must make it easier for loving and longing mothers and fathers to have children.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) offers hope to men and women experiencing fertility challenges. Americans need reliable access to IVF and more afford able treatment options, as the cost per cycle can range from $12,000 to $25,000. Providing support, awareness, and access to affordable fertility treatments can help these families navigate their path to parenthood with hope and confidence.

Renowned Sindhi poet Dr. Akash Ansari was allegedly killed by his adopted son, Latif Akash, after brutal torture. Police arrested both suspects. The case is under investigation.

Ashiq Siyalo, the arrested driver of legendary poet Dr Akash Ansari, has revealed that he was killed by his adopted son Latif Akash. The arrested driver in his preliminary statement claimed that Latif Akash killed his father after brutally torturing him at his rented house and doused his body.The police teams from Hyderabad reached Badin and arrested both suspects. 

The renowned Sindhi revolutionary poet Dr Aakash Ansari was found dead  in a mysterious fire at his residence  in Citizen Colony, Hyderabad,in the early  hours of Saturday. His body was shifted to Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences for a postmortem. The sudden and unexplained circumstances surrounding his death sparked  the widespread debate on social media, which called for a thorough investigation. Hyderabad SSP Dr Farrukh Lanjar, however, announced an official probe into the incident. He formed a five-member committee under supervision of Masood Iqbal, the SP Hyderabad City,  to investigate the matter after his family members, friends and hundreds of fans demanded a thorough probe into the death of Dr Akash Ansari.  

One of the doctors, who performed the postmortem sharing details  to the media claimed  that "  what I saw with  my own eyes  at Hyderabad Civil Hospital  (LUMHS) during the post-mortem was totally devastating" he said that Dr. Ilimuddin, Advocate Inderjeet Lohano, Zulfiqar Qadri, Izhar Soomro, Dr. Bekha Ram, Zulfikar Ali Halepoto., Arbab Ahsan, and other companions were continuously present." he said . " We personally examined all the X-rays. One leg bone was fractured, and fingers were broken. A deep cut was found on the side of the neck. There were deep, two-inch wounds above the chest. Flesh was torn, and blood was oozing from the wounds. A sharp weapon had inflicted a cut on the back, from which blood was continuously flowing. The abdomen also had injuries" he added. Dr Abdul Hameed Mughal, who was also part of the medical team spoke to the media and confirmed the multiple torture marks on various parts of his body. " He was mercilessly tortured before his body was burnt" Dr Mughal added.

CHANDRAPUR: Born with a disability, the child was abandoned — without a name, a family, or a future. This little soul was deemed unworthy by those who gave birth to it. But fate had other plans. Across the seas, in a distant land, a Swedish couple longing for a child saw not the child's limitations but the boundless love they could offer.

In a rare and heart-warming act of compassion, Rickard Tobias Hedberg and Maria Elisabeth Victoria Eriksson, a childless couple from Sweden, stepped forward to adopt the child complying with all legal formalities to ensure a life filled with care and dignity.

District women and child development officer Deepak Banait, informed that children who are orphaned, abandoned, or surrendered receive protection through the District Child Protection Unit and the Child Helpline 1098.

CHANDRAPUR: Born with a disability, the child was abandoned — without a name, a family, or a future. This little soul was deemed unworthy by those who gave birth to it. But fate had other plans. Across the seas, in a distant land, a Swedish couple longing for a child saw not the child's limitations but the boundless love they could offer.

In a rare and heart-warming act of compassion, Rickard Tobias Hedberg and Maria Elisabeth Victoria Eriksson, a childless couple from Sweden, stepped forward to adopt the child complying with all legal formalities to ensure a life filled with care and dignity.

District women and child development officer Deepak Banait, informed that children who are orphaned, abandoned, or surrendered receive protection through the District Child Protection Unit and the Child Helpline 1098.

Institutions like the Kilbil Adoption Centre, where the child was fostered, play a crucial role in their care, ensuring they are nurtured in a safe environment until they find permanent families. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Chandrapur, legally frees such children for adoption, allowing prospective parents to register on the CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) portal at cara.wcd.gov.in.

Switzerland is planning to ban international adoptions, following revelations of shady practices in the past. Other countries banning international adoptions claim they are doing it for the child’s welfare, but sometimes it’s just about power politics. 

Children from abroad should no longer be adopted in Switzerland in the future – this is the plan of the Swiss governmentExternal link. 

In 2023 the government acknowledged significant irregularities in international adoptionsExternal link between 1970 and 1999. These findingsExternal link by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) highlighted systemic failures and negligence by both federal and cantonal authorities. 

Several thousand children from Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, India, Colombia, South Korea, Lebanon and Romania were brought to Switzerland through illegal practices, including child trafficking, forged documents and missing information about their origins. The written consent of biological parents was often lacking.External link In Chile and Brazil, for example, several cases have been documented where a child’s birth document was falsified. 

“There are always loopholes” 

Maxance was placed at birth to escape abusive parents. He is now 18 years old, is a brilliant student and today tells us about his extraordinary journey.

Kochi: The procedure for adopting a child must be approached with empathy, humane consideration and a holistic perspective that resonates with the anxiety of an adoptive couple, rather than adhering strictly to procedural rigidity and pedantic interpretations, the HC has stated.

"Matters involving children cannot be confined to the four corners of legal technicalities; they demand a compassionate and progressive approach that prioritizes the child's best interest," added the bench led by Justice C S Dias. The bench made these remarks in response to a petition filed by a couple challenging the decision of the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) to bar them from adopting a child for one year. The bench set aside this decision and directed the Authority to give the petitioners another opportunity to adopt a child as per the law, within a month.

The petitioners, who had previously adopted a five-year-old boy, approached CARA in 2021 to adopt a girl child. They registered on the designated portal, ‘Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System' (CARINGS), and after a four-year wait, were provided the details of a girl child for adoption on Nov 11, 2024. They were required to reserve the child within 48 hours. However, the necessary study and medical reports, which are mandated by law, were not attached to the child's details. The petitioners contacted the authorities, and the reports were provided a day later. By the time they attempted to reserve the child, the details had been removed from their dashboard due to the lapse of the 48-hour window. As a result, they were debarred for a year, which led them to approach the high court.

The court noted that the decision to debar the couple, due to the absence of the mandated reports, was arbitrary. It emphasized that the case was not a commercial dispute requiring strict adherence to timelines but rather involved an adoptive couple's deep and enduring desire for a child, which had caused them significant anguish for the past four years.

The Kerala High Court ruled that prospective adoptive parents must be given child study report and medical examination report to review when they are referred the profiles of children for possible adoption.Justice C.S. Dias referred to Section 59 (6) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015 and Adoption Regulations of 2022 to state that child study report and...