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O.S. 179/2026
IN THE COURT OF I ADDITIONAL JUNIOR CIVIL JUDGE-CUM- I ADDITIONAL
JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS
RANGA REDDY DISTRICT AT LB NAGAR
PRESENT: SMT. SRAVANA SWATHI CHINTADA
I ADDL.JUNIOR CIVIL JUDGE CUM
I ADDL. JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF
FIRST CLASS, AT L.B.NAGAR.
THURSDAY, DATED ON THIS THE 7 th DAY OF MAY 2026
O.S.No. 179 of 2026
Between:-
1. Katravath Babu, S/o. Katravath Ukya, Aged about 40 years, Occ: Private Employee, R/o. H.No. 5-16-10019, Brundavan Colony, Almasguda, Balapur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana State.
2. Katravath Sharada, Katravath Babu, Aged about 39 years, Occ: Housewife, R/o. H.No. 5-16-10019, Brundavan Colony, Almasguda, Balapur Mandal, Ranga Reddy
District, Telangana State. ...Plaintiffs
AND
1. Mandeecha Dasu, S/o. Mandeecha Krishna, Aged about 29 years, Occ: Business, R/o. H.No.4-198, Kokapet, Rajendra Nagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana State.
2. Kappre Padma, W/o. Mandeecha Dasu, Aged about 25 years, Occ: Housewife, R/o. H.No. 18-13-132/19, GF, EWS Colony, Ghouse Nagar, Bandlaguda Post, Mandal, Hyderabad District, Telangana State.
3. The Deputy Commissioner, Circle – 16, Badangpet, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, (GHMC) Ranga Reddy District, Telangana State, Pin – 500058.… Defendants 2
O.S. 179/2026
This suit is coming before me for final hearing on 05-05-2026 in the presence of Sri. Easarapu Saidulu Goud, Advocate for plaintiffs and Sri. M. Kranthi Kumar, Advocate for defendants No.1 and 2 and Sri. B. Jagadeeshwar, Advocate for defendant No.3 and upon perusing the material papers on record and upon hearing, and having stood over till this day for consideration, this Court delivered the following:
: J U D G M E N T :
1.The suit is filed by the plaintiffs seeking a declaration that the Datatha Homam Certificate and receipt issued by the authorities of Swayambhu Sri Alimelu Manga Padmavathi Sametha Sri
Venkateswara Swami Devasthanam are valid and binding. The plaintiffs further seek a declaration that the minor child, whose original name is “Kappre Nikhil” and proposed new name is “Nikhil
Katravath”, born on 21-08-2023, is the adoptive son of plaintiffs No.1 and 2. Consequently, the plaintiffs pray for permission to change the name and surname of the minor child from “Kappre
Nikhil” to “Nikhil Katravath” and for a consequential direction to defendant No.3 to issue a Birth
Certificate in the name of “Nikhil Katravath” showing the date of birth as 21-08-2023.
2.The brief averments of the plaint are as follows:- 2.1.The plaintiffs No.1 and 2 are Hindus by religion. Their marriage was solemnized on 16-01- 2006 at Doori Thanda Village, Hanwada Mandal, Mahabubnagar District, in accordance with Hindu rites and customs. The marriage was consummated and out of the said wedlock, they were blessed with one female child namely, Katravath Nikitha, born on 02-05-2007. Though the plaintiffs have been married for about twenty years and are blessed with one daughter, they were desirous of adopting a male child. Accordingly, the plaintiffs submitted an application before the Central
Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) vide Registration No. PRTS202602361063 dated 14-02- 2026. The said authority informed the plaintiffs that the adoption process would consume considerable time due to pendency of several applications and advised them to wait for their turn.
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Despite lapse of considerable time, the application of the plaintiffs continued to remain in queue without any progress.
2.2.The plaintiffs further submit that defendants No.1 and 2 are well acquainted with the plaintiffs, as plaintiff No.1 shares a close friendship with defendants No.1 and 2 and had disclosed to them his desire to adopt a male child. The defendants No.1 and 2 are also Hindus by religion and their marriage was solemnized on 24-03-2018 at Ghouse Nagar, Bandlaguda Post, Hyderabad
District, Telangana State, in accordance with Hindu rites and customs. Out of the said wedlock, defendants No.1 and 2 were blessed with three male children, namely: Kappre Pranay, born on 10- 11-2019; Kappre Lingam, born on 20-10-2021; and Kappre Nikhil, born on 21-08-2023. The surname of the third child is recorded as “Kappre” in the Birth Certificate. Subsequently, the plaintiffs performed a naming ceremony and renamed the minor child from “Kappre Nikhil” to “Nikhil Katravath”.
2.3.The plaintiffs requested defendants No.1 and 2 to give the minor child, namely old name “Kappre Nikhil” and new name “Nikhil Katravath”, born on 21-08-2023, in adoption to them, as the plaintiffs were not likely to be blessed with any further children and were desirous of having a male child. Considering the circumstances of the plaintiffs and having full faith, confidence, and trust in them, defendants No.1 and 2 voluntarily agreed to give their third male child in adoption to plaintiffs No.1 and 2, after obtaining mutual consent between themselves. The defendants believed that the plaintiffs would provide the child with better care, education, and a higher standard of living. The plaintiffs, in turn, willingly agreed to accept the said child in adoption and to take his permanent custody as their adoptive son.
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2.4.The plaintiffs No.1 and 2, of their own free will and consent, accepted the minor child, namely old name “Kappre Nikhil” and new name “Nikhil Katravath”, in adoption. Accordingly, on 23-02-2026, the customary ceremony and physical act of giving and taking the child in adoption were performed in the presence of relatives and well-wishers of both parties. Thereafter, both the parties performed “Datatha Homam” ceremony at Swayambhu Sri Alimelu Manga Padmavathi
Sametha Sri Venkateswara Swami Devasthanam and obtained Datatha Homam Certificate and receipt from the said Devasthanam authorities. Thus, the adoption of the minor child, namely old name “Kappre Nikhil” and new name “Nikhil Katravath”, was completed by following the traditional Hindu rites, ceremonies, and customs. On the basis of the Datatha Homam Certificate and receipt issued by the said Devasthanam, the plaintiffs have approached this Hon’ble Court seeking declaration that the adoption is valid, legal, and binding under law.
3.Notices were duly served on defendant No.1 and defendant No.2. Thereupon, Sri Kranthi
Kumar entered appearance on behalf of defendant Nos.1 and 2 and filed Vakalat along with an admitted written statement. Sri B. Jagadeeshwar entered appearance on behalf of defendant No.3 and filed Vakalat; however, defendant No.3 reported as no written statement on their behalf.
Defendant Nos.1 and 2 filed their written statement admitting the averments and contentions raised by the plaintiffs and expressed their consent for giving the minor male child born on 21-08- 2023 in adoption to plaintiff Nos.1 and 2. They also requested this Court to allow the suit and grant the reliefs sought for by the plaintiffs. Since defendant Nos.1 and 2 admitted the pleadings and claim of the plaintiffs, this Court proceeded with the evidence on behalf of the plaintiffs.
4. During the course of trial, plaintiff No.1 filed his chief-examination affidavit and was examined as PW1. On his behalf, Exs.A1 to A17 were marked. Plaintiff No.2 was also examined as
PW2 in support of the case of the plaintiffs.
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5. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the plaintiffs and defendants. Perused the oral and documentary evidence available on record.
6.The following Points arise for consideration in this suit:
i. Whether the plaintiffs prove that the minor child, namely old name “Kappre Nikhil” and new name “Nikhil Katravath”, born on 21-08-2023, was validly taken in adoption
by plaintiff Nos.1 and 2 from defendant Nos.1and 2 in accordance with law?
2. Whether the plaintiffs are entitled for declaration of adoption, change of name of the minor child as “Nikhil Katravath”, and consequential direction to defendant No.3 to issue Birth Certificate accordingly?
3. If so, To what relief?
POINT:
7. Perused the oral and documentary evidence adduced by the plaintiffs, namely Exs.A1 to
A17. During the course of chief-examination, PW1 deposed that his marriage with PW2 was solemnized about 20 years ago at Dorri Thanda Village, Hanwada Mandal, Mahabubnagar District, in accordance with Hindu rites and customs and in proof of the same relied upon Ex.A11/Wedding
Card. He further deposed that though they are blessed with one female child, they were desirous of adopting a male child and are financially and socially capable of maintaining and bringing up the adoptive child in a dignified manner.
8.To establish their financial capacity and stability, the plaintiffs produced Ex.A13/Bank
Statements. PW1 further deposed that both the plaintiffs are physically and mentally fit, financially sound, and are not suffering from any legal, medical, or other disability disentitling them from taking a child in adoption. In proof thereof, they relied upon Ex.A4/Medical Fitness Certificates pertaining to plaintiff Nos.1 and 2. PW2 also entered the witness box and deposed on the same lines corroborating the testimony of PW1 in all material particulars.
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9.PW1 further deposed that on 23-02-2026, the minor male child old name “Kappre Nikhil” was given and taken in adoption and thereafter renamed as “Nikhil Katravath”. In support of the adoption ceremony, the plaintiffs relied upon Exs.A14 and A15 i.e., Datatha Homam Certificate, receipt, and photographs showing the participation of both the plaintiffs and defendants during the adoption ceremony conducted at Swayambhu Sri Alimelu Manga Padmavathi Sametha Sri
Venkateswara Swami Devasthanam. The said documents clearly establish the performance of
Datatha Homam and the customary giving and taking ceremony, which is an essential requirement under Hindu Law relating to adoption.
10.The identity particulars of the plaintiffs and defendants were established through Exs.A5 to
A10. The plaintiffs also filed Ex.A2/Family Photograph along with CD and Ex.A3/Reference
Letters issued by relatives and acquaintances supporting the adoption. Ex.A12, being the original
Birth Certificate of the adoptive child, establishes the date of birth of the minor child as 21-08-2023.
11.Further, Exs.A16 and A17 clearly establish that the minor child namely “Nikhil Katravath”, whose old name is “Kappre Nikhil”, has been treated and recognized as the adoptive son of plaintiff
Nos.1 and 2. The oral testimony of PW1 and PW2, coupled with the documentary evidence placed on record, consistently and cogently proves the factum of adoption.
12.It is also significant to note that defendant Nos.1 and 2 have filed written statement admitting the plaint averments and categorically consenting for giving the minor child in adoption to plaintiff Nos.1 and 2. Their admission lends further corroboration to the case of the plaintiffs.
There is absolutely no contra evidence on record disputing either the ceremony of adoption or the consent of the natural parents.
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13.Under the provisions of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, a valid adoption requires capacity of the parties, consent of the persons concerned, and actual giving and taking ceremony. The evidence adduced by the plaintiffs inspires confidence and there are no material contradictions or inconsistencies to disbelieve their version. In the present case, the evidence of
PW1 and PW2 coupled with Exs.A1 to A17 clearly establishes compliance of the essential requirements for a valid adoption under law. The plaintiffs have successfully established that the adoption was performed voluntarily and in accordance with Hindu rites, customs, and ceremonies.
14.Hence, this Court is of the considered opinion that the plaintiffs are entitled to the relief of declaration declaring that the minor child namely “Nikhil Katravath”, old name “Kappre Nikhil”, is the adoptive son of plaintiff Nos.1 and 2, together with consequential reliefs as prayed for.
Accordingly, the point is answered infavour of the plaintiffs.
15.In the result, the suit is decreed as prayed for, without costs.
i. It is hereby declared that the adoption of the minor child namely old name “Kappre Nikhil” and new name “Nikhil Katravath”, born on 21-08-2023, by plaintiff Nos.1 and 2 from defendant Nos.1 and 2 is valid, legal, and binding.
ii. It is further declared that the Datatha Homam Certificate and receipt issued by Swayambhu Sri Alimelu Manga Padmavathi Sametha Sri Venkateswara Swami Devasthanam are valid for the purpose of adoption.
iii. Consequently, plaintiff Nos.1 and 2 are declared as the adoptive parents of the minor child and the name of the minor child is permitted to be changed from “Kappre Nikhil” to “Nikhil Katravath”.
iv. Defendant No.3 is directed to issue a Birth Certificate of the minor child in the name of “Nikhil Katravath” showing the date of birth as 21-08-2023, in accordance with law.
Typed to my dictation by typist, corrected and pronounced by me, in the Open Court, on this day of 7th day of May, 2026.
I ADDL JUNIOR CIVIL JUDGE
L.B. NAGAR, RR. DISTRICT
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APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE
WITNESSES EXAMINED
FOR PLAINTIFF: FOR DEFENDANTS: PW-1: Katravath Babu-NIL- PW-2: Katravath Sharada
EXHIBITS MARKED
FOR PLAINTIFF:
Ex.A1Application of PAPs, dated: 14-02-2026 Ex.A2 Current Family Photograph with CD, dated: 23-02-2026 Ex.A3Original two reference letters from acquaintances of relatives is support of adoption and Aadhar cards, dated: 10-02-2026 Ex.A4Original Medical Fitness certificates of plaintiffs No.1 & 2, dated: 20-01-2026 Ex.A5Original Pan Card of Plaintiff No.1, dt: 21-11-2017 EX.A6Original Pan Card of Plaintiff No.2, dated: 12-10-2018. Ex.A7Original Aadhar card of Plaintiff No.1, dated: 25-04-2013 Ex.A8Original Aadhar card of Plaintiff No.2, dated: 25-04-2013 Ex.A9Original Aadhar card of Defendant No.1, dated: 12-01-2026 Ex.A10Original Aadhar card of Defendant No.2, dated: 19-10-2011 Ex.A11Original Wedding card of plaintiff No. 1 and 2, dated: 16-01-2006 Ex.A12Original birth certificate of adopt child, dated: 07-11-2023 Ex.A13Original bank statements of plaintiff No.1, dated: 31-01-2026 Ex.A14Original Datatha Homam certificate with receipt, dated: 23-02-2026 Ex.A15Original Datatha Homam photos and CD, dated: 23-02-2026 Ex.A16Witnesses Datatha Homam Ceremony, Aadhar cards, dated: 03-10-2011 Ex.A17Witnesses Datatha Homam Ceremony, Aadhar cards, dated: 23-10-2011
FOR DEFENDANTS: NIL
I ADDL JUNIOR CIVIL JUDGE
L.B. NAGAR, RR. DISTRICT