In Brief
This Public Interest Litigation, initiated by a newspaper article alleging systematic sexual abuse of children in Tamil Nadu orphanages, examined protections for children in need of care. The Supreme Court held that "child in need of care and protection" should be interpreted broadly and illustratively rather than exhaustively, extending to abuse and trafficking victims. The Court mandated registration and inspection of all child care institutions, enforcement of minimum care standards, proper functioning of statutory child rights commissions (NCPCR and SCPCRs), social audits, training of personnel, individual child care plans, and de-institutionalization alternatives like adoption and foster care. The State must faithfully implement child protection laws through adequate funding and institutional accountability.
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