The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Central government on a petition seeking a nationwide DNA and biometric identification system to scientifically identify missing and recovered children and reunite them with their families.
The public interest petition, filed by advocate Reepak Kansal through advocate Praveer Chaudhry, said identifying children who go missing and ensuring their reunion with families has become increasingly difficult.
The plea sought mandatory collection of DNA samples from parents or guardians with consent and under appropriate safeguards. It also asked for DNA sampling from children recovered without known identity, to be matched with family samples to confirm identity.
It further urged the creation of a legally protected national database and an integrated, real-time national framework that brings together child protection data held by police records, shelters, child welfare committees and anti-human trafficking units.
The petition also proposed that before completing any formal adoption process, a child’s DNA details should be verified against national records to prevent illegal adoption, trafficking and false identity claims. A bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant, along with Justices Jaymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, directed the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to file their responses.
