Doctrine “Parens Patriae” – Shafin Jahan Vs. Asokan K.M. & Ors. [Criminal Appeal No. 366 of 2018 arising out of S.L.P. (Crl.) No. 5777 of 2017]
Parens Patriae in Latin means “parent of thenation”. In law, it refers to the power of the State to interveneagainst an abusive or negligent parent, legal guardian or informalcaretaker, and to act as the parent of any child or individual who is in need of protection. “The parens patriae jurisdiction is sometimes spoken of as ‘supervisory’” . The doctrine of Parens Patriae has its origin in the United Kingdom in the 13th century. It implies that the King as the guardian of the nation is under …