Govt rapped for inaction in child missing, abuse cases

A division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha directed the officials to be present on January 25 while making strong observations against the government of failing to protect children.

Passing orders on a petition filed by NGO Exnora, highlighting the kidnapping of two children, who were sleeping on the pavement with their parents in Chennai in 2016, the bench sought to know the action taken against juvenile protection homes functioning without adherence to Juvenile Justice Act regulations.

Also, noting that it was unfortunate that not a single public interest litigation was moved about the status of such children lodged in such homes amid COVID-19 pandemic, the bench wondered as to whether none bothered since they were God’s children.

Further, on pointing out that not only in Chennai but throughout the State women from north India could be seen at traffic signals, seeking alms showing infants, the bench wondered as to why no probe has been initiated as to whether the infants are theirs own and whether they keep the children drugged with sleeping pills. “If police pursue investigation based on that perspective, several cases related to missing children and exploitation, registered by Anti-Child Trafficking Units (ACTUs) could be resolved,” the bench observed. It also expressed strong displeasure over the High Court directives on child-related issues since 2016 remaining merely on paper.