Context : Supreme Court Warning to Parents:
- Parents must remain “extremely vigilant” against child trafficking.
- The Court highlighted various forms of child trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, begging, and child marriage.
- Trafficking rings may disguise child sales as inter-country adoptions, making it harder to detect.
Relevance : GS 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice)
Technology’s Role in Child Trafficking:
- Criminal gangs use technology to share victim information, photos, and locations, making their operations more efficient.
- The Court emphasized the ease with which traffickers operate due to these technological advancements.
Emotional Impact on Parents:
- The pain of losing a child to trafficking is different from the grief of death, as parents face long-term uncertainty and helplessness.
- The Supreme Court’s verdict calls for greater care and attention from parents, especially in poor, vulnerable sections of society.
Court’s Actions Against Hospitals:
- Hospitals will face license suspension and legal action if newborns go missing or are trafficked under their care.
- Hospitals are held responsible for the protection of infants during delivery, emphasizing strict accountability.
Inter-State Trafficking and Involvement of Healthcare Professionals:
- The case involved 13 members of a child trafficking ring, including a nurse working at a primary health center in Chhattisgarh, highlighting the role of trusted professionals in these crimes.
- This points to potential collusion within healthcare systems, complicating efforts to prevent trafficking.
Delays in Justice:
- The Court criticized the slow progress of the trial and the Uttar Pradesh government for lack of action, with no appeal against the bail granted by the Allahabad High Court.
- It ordered the completion of the trial within six months and a two-month deadline for the police to trace the absconding accused.
Call for Urgent Action by High Courts:
- The Supreme Court directed High Courts across India to expedite the trials of pending child trafficking cases and ensure completion within six months.
- The need for a stronger, more active response from the judiciary and law enforcement was emphasized.
Exploitation of Juvenile Justice Protections:
- Traffickers exploit the protections offered to minors under the juvenile justice system, which inadvertently becomes a haven for committing crimes.
- The Court expressed concern over how such protections are misused by criminal networks involved in child trafficking.
Socio-Political Issues Highlighted:
- The case points to systemic flaws in the handling of child trafficking, including insufficient governmental action and accountability at the state and institutional levels.
- The Court’s strong stance calls for a more proactive, coordinated response from both the government and judiciary to combat the issue.
