Supreme Court ने बाल संरक्षण डेटाबेस का एकीकरण और मानव तस्करी विरोधी इकाइयों की सक्रियता का आदेश दिया – 47,000 लापता बच्चे

Overview The Supreme Court on May 22, 2026 expressed alarm over the growing number of missing children in India. A bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R Mahadevan highlighted that about 47,000 children remain untraced, a sharp rise from roughly 10,000 a year earlier. The Court identified gaps in data sharing, non‑functional anti‑trafficking units, and procedural delays as key reasons for the backlog. Key Directions Integrate the CCTNS database with the Vishal Vasilya system to enable real‑time information exchange among police, CWCs , DCPUs , and child care institutions. Make all AHTUs fully functional within four weeks, providing them with adequate powers, staff and infrastructure. Presume kidnapping when a child is reported missing, and register the case under kidnapping provisions to ensure swift investigation. Do not wait four months to transfer cases to AHTUs if trafficking is evident; transfer immediately. Restore rescued children to their families within 24 hours , unless the family is implicated in trafficking, in which case the State and CWCs assume responsibility. Mandate Aadhaar registration for every recovered child to avoid duplicate identities and aid future tracing; Aadhaar integration to be coordinated by DCPUs. Imp