Delhi ‘a mandi for child trafficking’, says HC

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday expressed serious concern over child trafficking in the national capital, remarking that the city has become a “mandi” for such activities.

A bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notices to Indian Railways, the Delhi government, Delhi Police and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on a PIL filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance.

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The court observed that child trafficking continues “unabated” despite earlier judicial interventions and asked the NCPCR to furnish relevant data to enable it to pass appropriate directions. The matter has been listed for hearing on July 10, with the commission also asked to submit its suggestions.

“Delhi has become a mandi now for child trafficking… Just roam around the railway stations for two hours,” the bench remarked during the hearing.

Implementation gaps, SOP violations flagged

The court noted that while measures have been introduced by authorities, including the railways, the situation has not improved due to ineffective implementation.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Prabhsahay Kaur said more than 84,000 children were rescued by the Railway Protection Force between 2018 and 2024 from railway premises.

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She also cited an instance where a rescued girl at Anand Vihar railway station was allegedly handed back to traffickers instead of being produced before the child welfare committee, and was later rescued again during a raid.

The petition highlighted that the ministry of railways and the National Human Rights Commission had put in place standard operating procedures (SOPs) for identification, rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked children. However, it alleged “gross violation” of these norms by authorities, leading to lapses in protection.

The plea has sought strict enforcement of SOPs and directions from the court to ensure rescued children are properly rehabilitated and not re-trafficked.

(With inputs from TOI)