SC issues notice to Centre, states and NDMA on PIL alleging rise in child trafficking

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 8

The Supreme Court, on Monday, issued notices to the Centre, the states and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on a PIL filed by the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) alleging a sharp rise in child trafficking cases during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“We are aware that trafficking is being done for prostitution and for labour… If the need arises, we may also form a panel of experts to study the issue,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said.

While asking the Centre, the states and the NDMA to respond to the PIL in two weeks, the Bench sought Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta’s assistance in the matter.

The states that have been issued notices included Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and NCT Delhi.

Alleging that there was a sharp rise in child-trafficking cases during the COVID-19 lockdown, the BBA sought certain directions to the authorities to check it.

“The opening of the lockdown would see a massive spurt in the cases of child trafficking,” it said.

On behalf of the NGO, senior counsel HS Phoolka submitted that a pro-active approach was needed by district child welfare committees, especially in the vulnerable districts.

Mehta told the Bench that he would sit with Phoolka and collate suggestions on how to deal with the problem. “This is not an adversarial petition. We’ll get together and work out the measures,” Mehta told the Bench.