Supreme Court seeks Centre's response on DNA database for missing children

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Centre to file its response to a petition seeking creation of a comprehensive DNA and biometric database for children reported missing or rescued from exploitation. The notice marks a significant intervention by the court in addressing the persistent challenge of child trafficking and disappearances across the country.

The petition advocates for a centralized identification system that would enable faster tracing and reunification of missing children with their families. Such a database would integrate biometric and DNA records, potentially streamlining the identification process and reducing delays that currently hamper rescue operations.

Beyond the identification framework, the petition seeks court-directed establishment of national and state-level child protection and anti-trafficking task forces. These bodies would be mandated to ensure mandatory coordination between states, a critical gap in current enforcement mechanisms. The proposed task forces would oversee time-bound investigations, coordinated rescue operations, and comprehensive rehabilitation services for trafficked and rescued children.

Child trafficking remains a serious concern in India, with thousands of children reported missing annually. Experts have long advocated for inter-state coordination mechanisms and modern identification systems to address the fragmented nature of current law enforcement responses. The Supreme Court's move to examine these proposals suggests growing judicial focus on institutional reforms to combat the issue.