Stop illegal adoption of Covid orphans: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has directed states and Union territories to stop illegal adoption of children who were orphaned or abandoned during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Passing a slew of directions on a suo motu petition with regard to protection of rights of children affected by the pandemic, a bench of justices L Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose said, “The state governments/union Territories are directed to take action against those Ngos/individuals who are indulging in illegal adoptions.”

The court was informed about adoption posts circulating on various social media platforms amid the pandemic that saw several children lose either one or both their parents.

The problem of illegal adoption was brought to the attention of the court by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The commission received complaints where the identity of the affected children was disclosed in public announcements by agencies and individuals inviting interested persons to adopt them. Such adoption routes were in violation of the Juvenile Justice Act which prescribes adoption through Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA).

The bench directed all states/ UTS to prevent any NGO from collecting funds in the names of affected children by disclosing their identity and inviting interested persons to adopt them.

The court also directed the states and UTS were directed to ensure continuation of education of children affected by Covid-19 in both government and private schools.