Hyderabad: The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has approached the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, alleging that at least 111 vulnerable children were found residing in Child Care Institutions that were either operating without mandatory registration under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 or had already been declared unfit for registration.
The organisation has alleged serious child rights violations and administrative negligence by the Child Welfare authorities in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district, while seeking immediate intervention by the Centre.
In its complaint dated August 1, the LRPF alleged that despite official reports confirming several Child Care Institutions were violating the Juvenile Justice Act by operating without mandatory registration or failing to meet statutory standards, the district authorities in Andhra Pradesh failed to rescue the children, shut the institutions, initiate legal action, or hold officials accountable.
The complaint, submitted by LRPF, is based on inspection reports obtained through an RTI application filed after an earlier complaint to the West Godavari District Collector, Andhra Pradesh, regarding orphanages allegedly operating without statutory registration.
Following a complaint submitted by the Legal Rights Protection Forum, the District Child Welfare authorities conducted inspections of several Child Care Institutions in West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh.
Subsequently, the official inspection reports obtained by the Legal… https://t.co/IjGzvcBJDE pic.twitter.com/jHeoumyeGR
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) August 1, 2026
Allegations against specific institutions
According to the complaint, Good Samaritan Children’s Home, Tanuku, where 26 children were reportedly residing, and Good Samaritan Children’s Home, Palakollu, housing 16 children, were found by the District Level Inspection Committee (DLIC) to have failed to meet the minimum infrastructure and statutory standards required for registration or renewal.
The complaint further states that the inspection report for the Palakollu home recorded the absence of CCTV surveillance, fire extinguishers and mandatory statutory registers, while the institution was operating from rented premises. Despite these findings, the children continued to remain in the institution without immediate protective intervention by the authorities.
The complaint also alleges that Kathleen Home for Orphans and Widows, housing 60 children, and Faith Vision Children’s Home, with 9 children, were functioning without mandatory registration.
Instead of initiating legal proceedings under Section 42 of the Juvenile Justice Act, the authorities allegedly accepted the explanation that registration was “under process”.
LRPF further pointed to Grace Children’s Orphanage, where the inspection report reportedly recorded that the institution had closed in 2021 but did not mention the rehabilitation or whereabouts of the children who had earlier stayed there.
Similarly, in the cases of Nireekshana Orphanage and Blessing Home for Orphans and Disabled, the complaint alleges that authorities merely noted that the institutions belonged to East Godavari district without indicating whether the matter had been forwarded to the competent authorities there for further action.
Child Care Institutions Mentioned in LRPF Complaint
FCRA issue flagged
LRPF has also sought scrutiny of possible Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) compliance issues.
The complaint states that Kathleen Home for Orphans and Widows and Faith Vision Children’s Home are registered under the FCRA and have reportedly been receiving foreign contributions for orphan care and child welfare activities while allegedly operating Child Care Institutions without mandatory registration under the Juvenile Justice Act.
LRPF has requested the Union Ministry to refer the matter to the Ministry of Home Affairs for examination wherever appropriate.
The forum also referred to its earlier complaint, which had identified four organisations allegedly receiving foreign contributions for child care activities and sought scrutiny of whether foreign funds were being utilised by institutions functioning without the required statutory registration.
Alleged negligence by child welfare authorities
The complaint alleges gross administrative negligence by the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), District Women & Child Welfare & Empowerment Officer, and the District Level Inspection Committee, stating that they failed to discharge their statutory responsibilities under the Juvenile Justice Act, the Model Rules, 2016, and Supreme Court directions governing Child Care Institutions.
It further states that despite the authorities having knowledge of the violations through their own inspection reports, they failed to enforce the statutory child protection framework, placing vulnerable children at risk. The complaint also cites Supreme Court directions mandating compulsory registration, inspection and regulation of Child Care Institutions.
LRPF’s demands
LRPF has urged the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to:
- Call for a detailed report from the Andhra Pradesh Government on the inspection findings and action taken.
- Order a departmental inquiry against the District Child Protection Officer, DCPU, District Women & Child Welfare & Empowerment Officer and District Level Inspection Committee.
- Ensure that every child in the identified institutions is assessed, produced before the Child Welfare Committee wherever required, and provided care, protection and rehabilitation under the Juvenile Justice Act.
- Direct initiation of proceedings under Section 42 against institutions operating without mandatory registration.
- Seek an Action Taken Report against the institutions and officials responsible for the alleged lapses.
- Conduct a statewide review of Child Care Institutions to identify homes operating without registration or in violation of statutory standards.
- Refer the FCRA-related issues to the Ministry of Home Affairs for examination wherever considered appropriate.
- Issue any further directions necessary to ensure effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act and protection of children residing in Child Care Institutions.
The complaint concludes that the issues arise from official inspection reports prepared by government authorities themselves and involve the safety, welfare and legal protection of vulnerable children, urging the Union Ministry to intervene and ensure accountability of both the institutions and the officials responsible for the alleged lapses.
Speaking to Organiser, LRPF General Secretary A.S. Santhosh alleged that some Child Care Institutions, operating under the guise of humanitarian service, were exploiting vulnerable children. Referring to the fact that 111 children continued to reside in illegally operated Child Care Institutions without being rescued by the Government authorities, he said this was not a routine administrative lapse but a matter of grave concern involving the safety, protection, and fundamental rights of children. He termed the negligence of government officials as “unpardonable” and said it raises serious suspicion of a nexus between certain officials and the managements of such institutions. He further alleged that some institutions had turned child care into an illegal business to attract foreign funding for personal gain, and demanded a thorough investigation and exemplary punishment for all those responsible.
