Section 23
Where at 26th March 2001, being the date of commencement of this
of Islamic Adoption of Children Act
Act, any child —
(a)
is in the custody of and is being brought up, maintained and educated by any person as his own child under a de facto adoption;
and
(b)
has for a period of not less than 2 years before the commencement of this Act been in such custody, and has been so brought up, maintained and educated, the Syar’ie Judge may, upon the application of such person, make an adoption order authorising him to adopt the child without requiring the consent of the parents, if any, the guardian or the person who is responsible for the maintenance of the child after the Syar’ie Judge is satisfied that in all the circumstances of the case it is just and reasonable for the maslahah of the child.
Power to make rules.