The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to submit a detailed report on measures taken to curb child trafficking [Pinky Vs State of UP].
A Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan was hearing a case that raised concerns about a major inter-State child trafficking racket, in which multiple accused allegedly kidnapped children and sold them across States, including Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand, to childless couples.
“We wish to know from the Union what steps have been taken to curb the crime, which is rampant in Delhi. Let such report be filed at the earliest. One copy be provided to learned amicus Aparna Bhat for her perusal,” the Court ordered.
The case before the Court initially concerned a batch of appeals filed by the families of children who had been trafficked across States. They challenged the grant of bail to those accused of being in involved in the trafficking racket. In April 2025, the Court allowed the appeals and cancelled the grant of bail to the accused.
Notably, the Supreme Court also laid down extensive guidelines to be followed by States to prevent child trafficking and to deal with cases involving child trafficking offences.
Senior Advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing as amicus curiae, today recounted that the Court had taken note of “serious child trafficking in Delhi” and sought a response from the Delhi government.
Counsel for the government of Delhi informed the Court that two more children, who were sold by their parents, had recently been recovered, and that the alleged kingpin had been arrested.
However, she was subsequently granted bail. The Court expressed displeasure over the grant of bail in such a matter.
The Court noted that others accused in the child trafficking case had also been released on bail by the trial court. It said that it would examine those orders.
"File a detailed report on how bail was granted and how the State opposed the bail. If need be, we will take suo motu cognizance of those bail orders," Justice Pardiwala said.
The Court listed the matter on August 18, 2025 for further hearing.
Among other directions in its April order, the top court had also directed High Courts across the country to issue directions to lower courts to complete trial in child trafficking cases in six months.
"State governments shall take a look at the detailed recommendations by us and study the report which was submitted by Bhartiya Institute and implement the same at the earliest. High Courts across the country are directed to call for status of pending trial in child trafficking cases. Then directions shall be issued to complete trial in 6 months and also conduct day to day trial," the Court had ordered.
Any laxity shown to implement the directions would be taken seriously and be treated as contempt of court, the Bench added, at the time.
Importantly, the Court said that if a new born is stolen from hospital, the first step to be taken is to cancel the license of the concerned hospital.
[Read Order]
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