| Abstract: | Children are among the most vulnerable members of society and require special protection within constitutional and legal frameworks. In India, despite formal recognition as rights-bearing individuals, poverty, inequality, abuse, and exploitation continue to hinder the realization of their rights. This paper examines judicial intervention in child protection through a rights-based lens, focusing on the judiciary’s role in safeguarding vulnerable children’s rights. It analyses the interpretation and expansion of constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 14, 15(3), 21, 21A, 23, and 24, as well as the Directive Principles of State Policy, to address child-specific vulnerabilities. The study also evaluates the use of Public Interest Litigation as an effective mechanism to enhance access to justice and enforce children’s rights. By examining key judicial interventions, the paper identifies implementation gaps, institutional challenges, and concerns about judicial accountability. It argues that proactive, rights-oriented judicial intervention, grounded in constitutional morality and aligned with international child rights standards, is essential to ensuring the protection, dignity, and development of vulnerable children in India. |
