New Delhi, Apr 21 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday expressed grave concern over the escalating child trafficking crisis in Delhi, remarking that the situation appears to be “going from bad to worse.”
The Court directed the Delhi Police to intensify efforts to arrest the main accused, identified as Puja, in connection with a newborn trafficking racket operating in the capital's Dwarka area.
A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan made the sharp observation while interacting with an investigating officer from Delhi Police during a hearing on the case.
"You never know where these children will land up. In the case of a girl child, you know where she lands," Justice Pardiwala said grimly, reflecting on the dark realities of child trafficking.
The bench also pointed to the disturbing role of some parents, stating that “unfortunately, the parents of the infants seem to have sold off their own children.”
The Court directed the concerned police station to take all necessary measures to trace three missing infants and apprehend the gang leader Puja.
The matter has been posted for hearing again in four weeks, with the police instructed to report the progress made.
"You have to find these missing children at any cost and arrest the kingpin," the bench stated firmly.
The Delhi Police was represented by Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave.
The hearing comes just days after the Apex Court delivered a significant judgment on April 15 regarding inter-state child trafficking.
In that ruling, the Court revoked bail granted to 13 accused, emphasizing that “the cry of the collective for justice and the desire for peace and harmony cannot be trivialized.”
The top court also urged the government to ensure that rescued children are admitted into schools under the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and continue to receive educational and rehabilitative support.
Highlighting the evolving and complex nature of child trafficking in India, the Court observed:
"Trafficking in India has taken diverse forms. A growing number of cases and the expansion of trafficking networks indicate a troubling trend. Unknown actors continue to get embedded in the web of traffickers, exploiting the limitations of the criminal justice system."
UNI SNG SHC