Human trafficking: MHA instructs high courts to organise ‘judicial conferences’

In 2020, there were 1,714 registered human trafficking cases, the highest being reported from Maharashtra (184) and Telangana (184)

With the intent to sensitise and equip judicial officers to deal with human trafficking related issues, the women safety division of the Union ministry of home affairs has instructed the registrar generals of all high courts to hold a judicial conference on human trafficking, the MHA said on Tuesday.

The Union ministry of home affairs in New Delhi. (Biplov Bhuyan/HT File Photo)

Writing to registrar generals, the MHA said that a “multi-dimensional strategy” is required to tackle the “complex nature” of human trafficking. “Strengthening cooperation and establishing inter-state channels of communication...with neighbouring countries can be an effective tool in countering trafficking,” it said.

The MHA also instructed the registrar generals to hold conferences in their respective states/UTs, which may be attended by judges from high/session courts, public prosecutors, district nodal police officers, NGO officials and any other stakeholders of the states. These include sensitising judicial officers, assisting magistrates and judges to take appropriate action as per law, improving the approach and decision-making of judicial officers, understanding the role of NGOs and civil societies in curbing human trafficking and increasing awareness of relevant national and international laws.

In 2020, there were 1,714 registered human trafficking cases, the highest being reported from Maharashtra (184) and Telangana (184), followed by Andhra Pradesh (171) and Kerala (166), according to data shared by the ministry of women and child development last month.

MHA further said that in the past, it has come across cases where concerned officers lacked awareness and training, failed to register cases under relevant laws resulting in ineffective investigation, etc., as a result of which “it has been felt that with regular exchange of information through designated focal points…it may be possible to address the problem of trafficking to a large extent.”