New Delhi, April 9: Child trafficking India Highlighting the alarming rise in child trafficking in India, the Supreme Court on Wednesday urged States and Union Territories to act in a coordinated and time-bound manner, warning that failure to intervene immediately could allow organised trafficking networks to expand beyond control.
POONCH MIRROR NEWS DESK APRIL 9,2026
New Delhi, April 9: The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed grave concern over a rise in child trafficking cases across the country, observing that organised gangs are operating with impunity and warning that the situation could spiral “beyond control” if immediate steps are not taken by States and Union Territories.
A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan, hearing a plea on the issue, underscored that effective intervention must come from State governments and their law enforcement machinery.
“As a court, we can monitor, but ultimately the action has to be on the part of the State government, the police and other agencies. Therefore, this is our humble request,” the Bench observed.
The court took exception to what it described as a “lackadaisical” approach of several States and UTs in implementing its April 15, 2025 judgment aimed at dismantling organised trafficking networks.
Justice Viswanathan noted that successful retrieval of trafficked children in certain cases demonstrated that the problem is not insurmountable, but requires political and administrative will, which appears to be lacking.
In its 2025 verdict, the court had mandated a series of institutional measures, including completion of trials in trafficking cases within six months on a day-to-day basis. It had also directed the strengthening of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) and called for improved investigation standards.
The judgment further required the constitution of State-level committees to identify and monitor trafficking-prone areas, and directed authorities to treat cases of missing children as trafficking unless proven otherwise.
Earlier, the Bench had termed compliance reports submitted by some States as “nothing but an eye wash”. On Wednesday, it noted that Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha and Punjab had yet to file reports in the prescribed format.
When the Home Secretary of Madhya Pradesh tendered an apology, the court granted a “final opportunity” to comply, cautioning that continued default would result in States being formally labelled as “defaulting”.
The Bench also recorded that at least 15 States have not yet constituted the review committees mandated under the 2025 judgment to track trafficking hotspots.
The matter is scheduled to be heard next on April 29. (Agencies)
Leave a Reply