The Apex Court on May 28^th 2021 directed the district authorities to upload the information of children who have become orphans after March, 2020 on the portal “Bal Swaraj” and immediately take charge of such children and attend to their basic needs without waiting for any further orders from this Court.

The Court was hearing an interlocutory application seeking directions in respect of children who are adversely affected due to the current Covid pandemic by losing either one or both the parents and the increased instances of child trafficking, especially of the girl child, filed by Gaurav Agarwal, learned Amicus Curiae.

After hearing the Amicus Curiae, the Court was of the view that the learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for Union of India, Ms. Aishwarya Bhati and the learned counsel appearing for the State Governments should furnish the latest information about the identification of children who have become orphans post March, 2020, whether it be due to the pandemic or otherwise, and steps taken for attending to their basic needs.

Further, the court directed the district authorities under the Juvenile Justice Act to upload the information of children who have become orphans after March, 2020 on the portal “Bal Swaraj” and directed them to immediately take charge of such children and attend to their basic needs without waiting for any further orders from this Court.

– Esha Shah, Paralegal – POSHequili