In Brief
This public interest litigation arose from a 2007 newspaper report of systematic sexual abuse of children in orphanages in Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court, over ten years of proceedings, held that the State must broadly interpret 'child in need of care and protection' to include all vulnerable children. The Court directed: registration of all child care institutions with databases by 31st December 2017; enforcement of minimum care standards; proper use of allocated grants; functioning of child rights commissions as independent bodies; individual care plans for each child; regular social audits; training of personnel; and prioritization of de-institutionalization through adoption and foster care. The Union and State Governments must faithfully implement child protection laws or face negligence and human rights violation charges.
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