Tripura HC Orders Release of Minor Girl Kept in Child Care Home for Nearly Four Months
The Tripura High Court has directed the State Government to release a minor girl who had been kept in a child care home for nearly four months and hand her over to her parents. The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice S. Datta Purkayastha in a habeas corpus petition filed by the girl’s father, Gopal Das.
The girl, a resident of Gandacherra in Dhalai district, was taken away from her parents following allegations relating to a possible attempt to arrange her marriage. She was later placed under the custody of the child welfare authorities and kept at a protected home run by the Social Welfare Department at Abhoynagar, Agartala. Her father approached the High Court after his efforts to secure her release were unsuccessful.
During the hearing, the petitioner questioned the legal basis for keeping the minor away from her parents for such a long period. The Court examined whether the authorities had followed the procedure prescribed under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The State was also required to explain the circumstances surrounding the continued custody of the girl.
After considering the matter, the High Court directed that the minor be released and restored to her parents. The case highlights the importance of following the statutory procedure when a child is taken into institutional care, particularly when the authorities seek to keep the child away from parental custody for an extended period.The matter is registered as WP(C)(HC) No. 03 of 2026, and further proceedings in the case will continue.
