SC Issues Notice To Centre On Child Kidnapping, Trafficking

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and state governments regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks to establish a uniform nationwide mechanism for investigating cases of child kidnapping and abduction.

The PIL, which was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, aims to ensure time-bound probes and speedy trials in such cases.

Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, who appeared in the matter, highlighted the increasing incidents of child trafficking and exploitation. He cited the Supreme Court's 2025 judgment in Pinky v State of Uttar Pradesh, which noted that children were being trafficked for various purposes, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, begging, and child marriage.

Upadhyay also alleged that children were being abducted for forced conversion and that trafficking for forced labour was on the rise. He claimed that safeguards under the juvenile justice system were being misused to facilitate heinous crimes.

The advocate urged the Court to issue notice on the plea and sought that it be tagged with an existing case concerning the Supreme Court's monitoring of FIR registration in cases involving missing persons.

Justice V Mohana observed that several government schemes and initiatives were already in place to address such issues. However, the bench ultimately directed that notice be issued to the Centre.

The move comes as a response to the growing concerns over child trafficking and abduction in the country. The Supreme Court's decision to issue notice to the Centre and state governments is a significant step towards addressing this issue.

The Court's monitoring of FIR registration in cases involving missing persons is also a crucial aspect of this case. The earlier practice of filing a 'Ghumshuda' report for missing persons was subsequently directed to be replaced with an FIR, and the Court is monitoring compliance by various states.

The PIL seeks to ensure that cases of child kidnapping and abduction are investigated in a time-bound manner and that trials are conducted speedily. This is essential to prevent further exploitation and to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Supreme Court's decision to issue notice to the Centre and state governments is a positive step towards addressing the issue of child trafficking and abduction. It is hoped that the Court's intervention will lead to the establishment of a uniform nationwide mechanism for investigating such cases and ensuring justice for the victims.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court's move to issue notice to the Centre and state governments on the PIL seeking a uniform nationwide mechanism for investigating cases of child kidnapping and abduction is a significant step towards addressing this critical issue. It is essential to ensure that cases of child trafficking and abduction are investigated and tried in a timely and efficient manner to prevent further exploitation and to bring perpetrators to justice.