Swedish woman adopts HIV+ child

Kanika (name changed) was found abandoned in a cradle outside the gates of the Delhi Council of Child Welfare, a non-governmental organisation, two-and-a-half-years ago.

The HIV+ child did not find any willing adopters until a 40-year-old woman from Sweden expressed willingness to adopt her.

The Swede filed an adoption plea in the court of district judge GP Mittal. She said she desired to adopt Kanika as she was fond of children.

The court appointed the Swede Kanika’s guardian as no relative of the child had come forward to claim her. Besides, Kanika’s parents could not be traced.

The adoptive parent, in her petition, said she works as an engineer with Ericsson AB in Sweden and draws a gross annual income of SEK4,04,280 (about Rs23 lakh).

“When appointing a guardian, paramount consideration is given to a minor’s welfare… The petitioner is capable of maintaining herself and the adopted child. It will be in the welfare of the minor, if the prayer of the petitioner is allowed,” the court said.

The court also directed the woman to execute a bond for Rs5 lakh and sign an undertaking to produce the child before the court as and when required.

The engineer will also have to send quarterly progress reports of the child until the adoption process is completed or Kanika attains majority.

Correction, September 3, 2010: The adoptive parent's name has been removed.