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Supreme Court bench of Justice Nageswara Rao and Justice Vineet Saran adjourned the matter concerning contagion of COVID19 in children’s protection homes to next Monday.

Justice Saran informed the Amicus, Mr. Gaurav Agarwal that relevant documents are not available.

Earlier by order dated 1.02.2021, A Division Bench of Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, had directed to furnish information to the learned Amicus, about the financial stability of the families of children who were sent from the Child Care Institutions to their parental homes/guardians.

The Bench had also directed to provide report on whether all Child Welfare Commissions and Juvenile Justice Boards were fully functional.

“All the State/Union Territories shall furnish information relating to the vacancy position in CWCs and the JJBs to the learned Amicus Curiae within a period of two weeks from today”, the Bench noted.

By order dated 15.12.2021, Supreme Court had directed the State Governments/UTs to consult the District Child Protection Units and provide the necessary infrastructure, stationery, books and other facilities required for online classes to the children in Child Care Institutions.

The matter originates from a Suo Moto Writ taken up last year in the wake of emerging cases of COVID 19 throughout the country, and the effect of it over children in Child care/foster homes.

Comprehensive guidelines were issued by the Court by order dated 3.04. 2020, on the following fronts, namely;

• Measures to be taken by the Juvenile Justice Boards and Children Courts
• Measures to be taken by the Governments
• Directions to the Child Care Institutions (CCIs)
• Preventive Measures for the CCIs
• Responsive Measures for the CCIs
• Measures for Children under Foster Homes and Kinship Care
• Guidance on Measures to ensure well-being of Children

Case Title: In Re: Contagion of COVID 19 Virus in Children Protection Homes