Sushmita can keep her baby

Actress Sushmita Sen,34,officially ushered a new member into her family today as the Bombay High Court accepted her petition to legally adopt baby Alisah,four months old.

Clad in jeans and a white top,Sen was visibly cheerful as she walked out of the court with Alisah in her arms. After the courts new ruling,it is now possible to adopt two girl children, said Sen who had,in 2000,adopted another girl,Renee,now 10.

A High Court ruling in September 2009 made it possible for Hindus to adopt two children of the same sex. This is not allowed under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) but Justice Chandrachud held that the Juvenile Justice Act,2000,with a more secular approach towards the adoption of children in need of care and protection,prevailed over the 54-year-old HAMA.

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Today,after Justice V M Kanade allowed Sens adoption petition,Sen said,Adoption is about reverence,its not charity. More and more people should come forward to adopt. We believe in ties of the heart,not just those of blood. I will adopt as many children as I can raise.

Alisah had been declared free for adoption by the Bal Vikas Shishu Welfare Trust at Malad on November 11.

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