India, Aug. 14 -- The Supreme Court has ordered the return of four infant girls from the custody of the child welfare committee (CWC) in Telangana to their adoptive parents, prioritising the welfare and emotional security of children.

The apex court, invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, set aside a Telangana High Court order that had directed CWC to retain custody until statutory adoption procedures were completed.

A bench of justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan noted that the children, aged between a few months and three years, had been living with their adoptive parents long enough to form strong emotional bonds, and that uprooting them would be contrary to the "best interest of the child" prin...