ORDER

1. We are inclined to entertain the Special Leave Petition which has been instituted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) with a view to resolving the question of law which is raised.

2. Issue notice.

3. Mr Rajshekhar Rao, senior counsel, who has been appointed as Amicus Curiae in SLP (Crl) No 10036 of 2022 raising a similar issue, is requested to assist the Court in the present case as well.

4. Tag with SLP (Crl) No 10036 of 2022.

5. SLP (Crl) No 10036 of 2022 is de-tagged from Item No 31 [TP (C) Nos 1249- 1250 of 2020].

6. Pending further orders, the impugned judgment of the High Court dated 30 September 2022, shall not be relied on as a precedent in any other case.

7. List the Special Leave Petitions on 6 February 2023.

Diary No 1156/2023, Diary No 1205/2023 and Diary No 1208/2023

1. On mentioning, these matters are taken on Board.

2. Tag with SLP (Crl) Diary No 35376/2022.