New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre and the NCPCR on a PIL seeking the establishment of a national DNA and biometric identification system for missing and rescued children to facilitate scientific identification, tracing and reunification with their families.
The petition, filed through advocate-on-record Pravir Choudhary, sought directions to the Centre and all the states and union territories to create a centralised system, backed by statutory safeguards, for DNA and biometric identification of missing and rescued children. It also sought a direction to the authorities to conduct mandatory DNA sampling, subject to due safeguards and consent protocols, of all unidentified rescued children and willing biological parents and guardians of missing children for the purpose of reunification and identity confirmation.
“Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing the Union of India and all States/Union Territories to establish a national DNA, and biometric identification system for missing and rescued children, with proper statutory safeguards, to enable scientific matching and restoration of identity,” the plea said. “Direct integration and interoperability of all existing child protection databases, including police records, shelter homes, Child Welfare Committees, and Anti-Human Trafficking Units, under a centralised and real-time national framework,” the plea said.
Supreme Court Urges Action on Missing and Trafficked Children
The Supreme Court has called for the establishment of national and state-level task forces focused on child protection and anti-trafficking. This initiative aims to enhance coordination across states for the timely investigation, rescue, and rehabilitation of missing and trafficked children.
In its plea, the court directed the relevant authorities to develop and implement a Standard Operating Procedure. This procedure should cover essential processes such as DNA testing, reunification of families, rehabilitation, compensation, and long-term monitoring of rescued children.
Furthermore, the court has requested regular compliance reports from the authorities. These reports must detail key statistics, including the number of missing children, DNA samples collected, successful matches, completed reunifications, prosecutions initiated, and rehabilitation efforts undertaken.
