Investigation – Delhi High Court raises concern over child trafficking surge
Investigation – The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sharply criticised the Delhi government and city police over allegations of widespread child trafficking at railway stations across the national capital, observing that the situation has become alarmingly serious.
Court expresses repeated concern over ongoing issue
A bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia noted that despite earlier warnings and directions issued by the court, the problem has continued without meaningful control. The judges remarked that trafficking of young children appears to be occurring openly, raising questions about enforcement and accountability.
Hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance, the court acknowledged claims that trafficking networks are actively operating in and around major railway stations in Delhi. The bench stated that such incidents are widely known and cannot be ignored any longer.
Notices issued to multiple authorities
The court has issued notices to the Delhi government and directed it, along with the Department of Women and Child Development, to submit a detailed response within six weeks. In addition, separate replies have been sought from the Ministry of Railways, the Delhi Police Commissioner, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
The bench also instructed the NCPCR to present comprehensive data related to child trafficking cases in Delhi. This, the court said, would help in determining appropriate measures and directions to curb such activities effectively.
Concerns over gaps in rescue and rehabilitation
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel highlighted troubling lapses in the handling of rescued children. In one instance, a minor girl who had been rescued was reportedly not handed over to the Child Welfare Committee as required. Instead, she was allowed to leave, only to later be found working again at the same railway station during a subsequent police raid.
The counsel argued that such incidents point to a serious breakdown in the system, where rescued children are not properly rehabilitated and often fall back into the hands of traffickers. The issue of “re-trafficking” was specifically raised, with concerns that safeguards meant to protect vulnerable children are not being implemented effectively.
Multiple rescue operations cited in petition
The plea placed before the court referred to at least five rescue operations conducted at key railway hubs, including Old Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi Railway Station, and Anand Vihar Terminal. While several children were rescued during these operations, the petition claimed that inadequate follow-up action allowed traffickers to regain control over some of them.
The court took note of these submissions and indicated that stronger monitoring and enforcement mechanisms may be required to ensure that rescued children are not re-exploited.
Separate case: Defamation complaint dismissed
In a separate matter heard on the same day, a Delhi court dismissed a criminal defamation complaint filed by Lipika Mitra against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The complaint was related to alleged remarks made by the minister.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal ruled that there was no direct imputation against the complainant and described the case as lacking merit. As a result, the complaint was rejected.
The developments in both cases highlight ongoing legal scrutiny in matters concerning public accountability and child protection, with the High Court’s observations drawing particular attention to systemic gaps that require urgent action.