'Delhi Has Become Mandi For Child Trafficking': High Court Seeks Response On PIL Over Surge In Incidents On Railway Stations

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a public interest litigation over surge in the incidents of child trafficking from railway stations and trains.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sought response of the Delhi Government Delhi Police and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

The plea has been filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance represented through Advocate Prabhsahay Kaur.

“Delhi has now become a mandi now for child trafficking, and for ascertaining this fact, you need not go through the petition. Just roam around the railway stations for two hours,” the Court remarked orally.

The Bench said that the menace of child trafficking was “unabated” despite various orders passed by the Court. It thus asked NCPCR to provide necessary data on the issue as well as its suggestions.

It said that it js common knowledge that trafficking of children of tender age is rampant. This court has time and again expressed concerns and issued directions. However, the menace is unabated, the Court observed.

The petition states that an SOP was notified by Union Railways Ministry in view of the alarming surge” in the incidents of child trafficking and other crimes against children occurring within railway premises and on trains.

It alleges that the authorities were not complying with the SOPs and thus, sought strict compliance of the same. It also prayed for directions for ensuring that rescued children are not re-trafficked.