SC expressed concern over rising child trafficking cases

The Supreme Court has voiced grave concern over rising cases of child trafficking, saying gangs are operating across the country and if states and Union territories do not take immediate action, things will go beyond control.

The court said only the state governments and their home departments can act vigilantly in this regard.

“As a court we can monitor, but ultimately the action has to be on the part of the state government, the police and other agencies. Therefore, this is our



humble request,” a bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan said during the hearing of a plea on Wednesday.

The bench was irked over the “lackadaisical” approach of several states and UTs in implementing a 2025 judgment aimed at dismantling organised trafficking networks.

Justice Viswanathan said the retrieval of children in some cases proves the problem can be tackled, but it requires a level of political and administrative will which is lacking at present.