Supreme Court Directs Centre on DNA Profiling for Missing and Rescued Children

In a significant judicial step toward addressing child trafficking and disappearances, the Supreme Court of India has intervened in matters concerning the safety and recovery of minors. During a recent hearing, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi, and V Mohana issued notices to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The apex court was reviewing a public interest litigation (PIL) that advocates for the creation of a sophisticated, centralized scientific framework to trace, identify, and reunite missing and rescued children across the nation.

Plea for a National DNA and Biometric Identification System

The public interest litigation, filed through advocate Praveer Chaudhary on behalf of petitioner Ripal Kansal, calls for the establishment of a comprehensive National DNA and Biometric Identification System. The petition emphasizes that traditional methods of tracing missing children often face insurmountable hurdles, making scientific identification tools essential. By creating a centralized database containing DNA profiles and biometric data of missing and rescued minors, law enforcement agencies and child welfare authorities can drastically improve matching accuracy, accelerate investigations, and streamline the reunification process with grieving families.

Establishing Anti-Human Trafficking Task Forces and Mandatory Coordination

Beyond DNA profiling, the legal plea urges the Supreme Court to issue binding directives to the Central government, all state administrations, and Union Territories. The proposed measures include setting up dedicated Child Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking Task Forces at both national and state levels. These specialized units aim to enforce mandatory inter-state coordination, ensure timely police investigations, and fortify rescue and rehabilitation protocols for trafficked and missing children. As the Central government and the NCPCR prepare their formal responses, this legal initiative highlights a vital push toward modernizing child protection infrastructure in India.