'Grave Societal Threat': Delhi High Court Cancels Bail Of Women Booked For Inter-State Child Trafficking
The Delhi High Court has cancelled the bail granted to two women allegedly involved in large-scale inter-state child trafficking racket, facilitating sale and purchase of new-born infants for monetary gain.Justice Ajay Digpaul observed,“The offences alleged are of grave and heinous nature, involving trafficking of new-born children, which not only endangers the rights and dignity of the...
The Delhi High Court has cancelled the bail granted to two women allegedly involved in large-scale inter-state child trafficking racket, facilitating sale and purchase of new-born infants for monetary gain.
Justice Ajay Digpaul observed,
“The offences alleged are of grave and heinous nature, involving trafficking of new-born children, which not only endangers the rights and dignity of the infants but also undermines the social fabric. Such offences are categorically treated as serious threats to the public order and moral conscience of society.”
As per prosecution, the offences involve an extensive conspiracy stretching across state borders, with multiple accused still absconding and some minor children yet to be traced.
The single bench thus observed that the Sessions Court erred in granting bail merely because charge-sheet had been filed in the matter, adding,
”ASJ did not adequately consider the nature and gravity of the offence, the modus in which the offence was committed, and the possibility to influence the witnesses and the likelihood of tampering with the evidence as well as the propensity of the accused persons to commit similar offences.”
The women, among others, have been booked under Sections 143(4)/61(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 20233 , and Section 81 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
They are alleged to be “central figures” in the criminal syndicate which extends from Delhi to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Pooja is stated to be the main accused and operational head of the entire network who financed the procurement, fixed commissions, and arranged final delivery to buyers. Bimla was stated to be a key recipient and distributor of trafficked infants.
The High Court thus observed that bail in cases involving grave offences must be approached with utmost caution, having regard to the serious societal impact and the likelihood of repetition of similar offences.
“Investigation, though substantially completed, yet, it remains ongoing with respect to other absconding accused and untraced infants. In such circumstances, release of main accused persons on bail might undermine the fairness and integrity of the continuing investigation,” it said.
The Court added that both women are alleged to be repeat offenders and their presence in the community poses a real possibility of them contacting witnesses or obstructing further proceedings.
The Court thus cancelled their bails and directed them to surrender before the Trial Court within seven days.
Appearance: Ms. Meenakshi Dahiya, APP for State with Ms. Divya Bakshi, Adv. with SI Rakesh Kumar for State; Mr Anuj Rajpal and Mr. Nishant Anand, Advs. for Respondents
Case title: State v. Bimla (and connected matter)
Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 1560
Case no.: CRL.M.C. 6327/2025 (and connected matter)