New Delhi, July 7 The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file a status report on the news reports that said more than 50 children in a shelter home in Kanpur were found infected with coronavirus.
The apex court had taken suo motu cognizance of the condition of children under state protection in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao appointed advocate Gaurav Aggarwal as the amicus curiae in the matter.
The court asked other state governments too to file their responses with the amicus curiae, and posted the matter for further hearing on July 13.
The apex court noted that different state governments - Punjab, Uttarakhand, Tripura and UP - have not yet filed their responses in the matter.
Advocate Aparna Bhat had moved the top court to seek directions for "proper medical treatment and facilities" to 57 minor girls, who were found corona positive in the shelter home in Kanpur.
The bench was informed by the Tamil Nadu government's counsel that 35 children, who tested positive at a government-run shelter home at Royapurum in Chennai, have since recovered and are back at the facility.
On June 11, the bench took cognisance of the news report that 35 children in the children home in Royapurum had tested positive. "How did it happen? We are seeking a report. Next hearing on Monday," the bench told the state government counsel.
The bench said it is circulating a questionnaire to the state governments.
"The juvenile justice committees (JJC) of the High Courts will circulate the questionnaire and get data. The JJC will ensure that state governments provide the information sought," noted the bench.
In April, the top court had issued directions to the state governments and authorities concerned to take urgent measures to prevent Covid-19 outbreak in childcare institutions, children in need of care and protection, children in contact with the law in observation homes and children in foster and kinship.
( With inputs from IANS )