GIRL ADOPTED BY U.S. COUPLE IS STILL INDIAN

Jennifer Haynes, the 28-year-old who was adopted by a US couple in 1989 and was deported back in 2008, continues to be an Indian citizen.

Additional solicitor general Darius Khambata informed the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that although Haynes was adopted by a US couple in 1989 she is still an Indian by virtue of birth.

Born in Mumbai on July 29, 1981, Haynes was adopted as an eight-year-old by US nationals Edward and Melissa Hancox, and flown to the US in November 1989. In 2008, the US government deported her and her minor child alleging that she was not a US citizen and was staying there illegally.

It was later learnt that her adoption procedure had not been completed in the US.

Haynes' advocate Pradeep Havnur said something needs to be done urgently as the woman is stateless and could face action from the Indian government since she ceased to be Indian citizen after her adoption.

"She is not stateless. By virtue of birth in India, she continues to be an Indian citizen," said Khambata.

Advocate for the Americans for International Aid and Adoption and Clarice D'Souza, trustee of Kuan Yin Charity Trust, the American and Indian agency that facilitated the adoption sought time to file their reply.

A letter was sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs stating that they had not issued any travel emergency documents for her deportation to India.

After the deportation, she approached the HC.

HC has kept the matter for hearing after three weeks.