In an unprecedented move The Netherlands has suspended all adoptions from abroad including from India, with immediate effect, after an official inquiry revealed that some children had been stolen or purchased from their birth parents.
Two petitions have sought gender and religion-neutral laws in adoption and guardianship and for divorce and alimony in tune with the spirit of the Constitution after considering international laws as well.
The petitioner AshwiniKumar Upadhyay had submitted before the court that there are severalacts that contain different provisions for adoption and guardianship, which areagainst gender equality, dignity of women and children. He sought removal ofsuch anomalies.
AN important PIL, which could have far-reaching implications on adoption rules, was placed before the Supreme Court in late August. It sought the removal of anomalies in the grounds for adoption and guardianship, to make them uniform for all citizens and also to make them gender and religion neutral.