Supreme Court orders Centre to create special cell for child labour law

The Court disposed of the petition after noting that the statutory amendments had addressed the grievances, while directing the government to ensure strict compliance with the amended law.

Who it concerns: Petitioner: Health for Millions (NGO); Respondents: Union of India & Ors.; Bench: Justice S.V.N. Bhatti and Justice N.V. Anjaria.

What the court decided

• The Court held that the specific prayers in the writ petition do not survive for further consideration due to the amendments in Act No. 35 of 2016.
• The Court directed the second respondent to constitute a special cell to monitor the implementation of the Act.
• The Court directed the respondent to issue directions to enforcing agencies through the respective Chief Secretaries of the States.
• The Court noted it is the responsibility of the respondents to ensure complete and strict compliance with the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, including amended provisions.

Also in the document

• The Court explicitly stated that the grievance was substantially attended to by the amendment to the parent Act (Act No. 35 of 2016).
• The order was passed on October 29, 2026.