Bachpan Bachao Andolan vs Union Of India And Ors

The Supreme Court, in a public interest litigation under Article 32, directed the Union of India to formulate and implement a national action plan addressing the alarming rise of drug and alcohol abuse among children. The Court emphasized the need for comprehensive measures including identification, recovery, counselling, and rehabilitation of affected children, alongside mandatory reporting duties for school authorities and police. The judgment highlights the fundamental rights of children and the urgent need for protective policies against substance abuse, thereby mandating the establishment of de-addiction centres and a national database for monitoring cases.