SC notice to Centre, NDMA on 'rise' in child trafficking cases

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 8

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

“We are aware that trafficking is being done for prostitution and labour… If 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.

Asking the Centre, states and 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 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 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.