Code
(1) Any individual or a police officer or any functionary of any organisation or a nursing home or hospital or maternity home, who or which finds and takes charge, or is handed over a child who appears or claims to be abandoned or lost, or a child who appears or claims to be an orphan without family support, shall within twenty-four hours (excluding the time necessary for the journey), give information to the Childline Services or the nearest police station or to a Child Welfare Committee or to the District Child Protection Unit, or hand over the child to a child care institution registered under this Act, as the case may be.
(2) The information regarding a child referred to in sub-section (1) shall be uploaded by the Committee or the District Child Protection Unit or the child care institution, as the case may be, on a portal as may be specified by the Central Government in this behalf.
Explanation
Section 32 imposes a statutory duty on all individuals, government functionaries, and institutions to act promptly when they come into contact with a child who appears to be abandoned, lost, or orphaned. The goal is to ensure immediate protection and care for vulnerable children.
Within 24 hours (excluding travel time), such individuals or organizations must inform designated authorities or hand over the child to a registered child care institution. Additionally, these authorities must upload the child’s details on a government-designated portal to maintain transparency and traceability.
Key Highlights
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Mandatory for police, public institutions, hospitals, NGOs, or any citizen to report or transfer custody of abandoned/lost/orphaned children.
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24-hour time limit for reporting (travel time excluded).
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Uploading of child details on a government-specified portal is now compulsory (as per the 2021 amendment).
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Ensures accountability and reduces the chances of child trafficking, neglect, or abuse.
Illustration
Example 1: A police officer finds a child crying at a bus station with no adult nearby. They must report the case to the Child Welfare Committee or hand over the child to a registered care institution within 24 hours.
Example 2: A private maternity home receives a newborn with no guardian. The hospital must inform the District Child Protection Unit or transfer the child to a Specialized Adoption Agency within the prescribed time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is responsible for reporting?
A: Anyone — including individuals, police officers, hospitals, NGOs, or social workers — who finds an abandoned, lost, or orphaned child.
Q2: What happens if the child is not reported within 24 hours?
A: As per Section 33 of the Act, failure to report within the timeframe is considered an offence.
Q3: Where should the child be taken or reported?
A: To Childline (1098), the nearest police station, the District Child Protection Unit, or a registered child care institution.
Q4: What is the purpose of uploading the child’s details online?
A: To ensure transparency, track the child’s welfare, and facilitate swift action regarding rehabilitation or adoption.
Related Links
Conclusion
Section 32 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, plays a crucial role in ensuring the swift and responsible handling of children who are abandoned, lost, or orphaned. By mandating a 24-hour reporting requirement and the uploading of child details on a government portal, this section facilitates transparency, traceability, and ensures that children receive the necessary protection and care at the earliest. It also serves as a safeguard against trafficking and neglect, fostering a more accountable system for the care and rehabilitation of vulnerable children in society.
