Delhi has become a “mandi” for child trafficking, the Delhi High Court said on Wednesday as it issued notice in a petition seeking strict enforcement of standard operating procedures to curb trafficking at railway stations and nearby areas in the Capital.
A bench of chief justice DK Upadhyaya and justice Tejas Karia sought responses from the Centre, Delhi government, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on the plea filed by NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance.
“Delhi has become a mandi now for child trafficking, and for ascertaining this fact, you need not read the contents of the petition. Just go around New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station, and Nizamuddin. You can see what is happening there,” the bench said.
The court noted that despite repeated judicial concerns and directions, the menace continues unabated. It observed that although the government has introduced measures, including SOPs, the situation has not improved due to lack of effective implementation.
“It is common knowledge that such trafficking of children of tender age is rampant, and the courts, time and again, have expressed concerns and issued directions; however, the menace is still unabated. We also note from the averments made in the writ that certain measures have been taken, including the Ministry of Railways and SOP have been framed, but on account of the lack of effective implementation of these procedures, the situation does not appear to improve,” the court said.
{{/usCountry}}“It is common knowledge that such trafficking of children of tender age is rampant, and the courts, time and again, have expressed concerns and issued directions; however, the menace is still unabated. We also note from the averments made in the writ that certain measures have been taken, including the Ministry of Railways and SOP have been framed, but on account of the lack of effective implementation of these procedures, the situation does not appear to improve,” the court said.
{{/usCountry}}The court directed NCPCR to mention in its affidavit relevant data on child trafficking in Delhi, along with its suggestions, to enable the court to consider appropriate directions and measures.
The NGO, in its petition argued by advocate Prabhsahay Kaur, stated that its petition was filed after conducting five separate rescue operations at Old Delhi, New Delhi, and Anand Vihar Terminal railway stations, where several trafficked children were rescued from trains and railway premises in coordination with the Railway Protection Force. It alleged that the Government Railway Police failed to take adequate steps as mandated under the SOP, resulting in some rescued children being handed back to traffickers.
The petition claimed that such a lackadaisical approach has prevented proper rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked children, leading to serious violations of their fundamental rights. The petition will be heard next on July 10.