Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, has mandated adherence to Sections 80 and 81 of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015, regarding adoption practices. This directive was issued following reports of non-compliance with the prescribed adoption procedures under the Act. It clarifies that children must only be offered or given for adoption in strict accordance with the provisions of the Act and the accompanying Adoption Regulations. Section 80 specifies that violations of adoption procedures can result in imprisonment for up to three years and fines up to Rs. 100,000. Additionally, Section 81 criminalizes the sale and procurement of children for illegal adoption purposes, with severe legal repercussions.
The order stipulates that all hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, maternity centers, Child Care Institutions (CCIs), NGOs, and other related entities must ensure children are neither handed over nor facilitated for adoption, whether with or without compensation, outside the lawful framework established by the Act and the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). Furthermore, no individual, medical practitioner, staff member, or institution is permitted to negotiate or facilitate adoption processes bypassing the legally required procedures. Any instances of children requiring care and protection must be reported immediately to the appropriate Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and must be addressed according to legal standards.
