The Supreme Court on September 10, issued notice to the Centre on a public interest petition seeking stronger measures against organised networks allegedly involved in the kidnapping and trafficking of children for illegal adoption and other forms of exploitation.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard the matter.
Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay submitted that child trafficking takes several forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, begging, petty crimes, child marriage and illegal adoption. He relied on the Supreme Court’s 2025 judgment in Pinki v. State of Uttar Pradesh, which examined different forms of child trafficking, including trafficking for illegal adoption.
Upadhyay also referred to trafficking for forced criminality and submitted that safeguards available to children under the juvenile justice system could be misused by trafficking networks.
He further sought that the petition be considered alongside an existing matter concerning registration of FIRs in cases involving missing persons.
“Earlier, there used to be a ‘Ghumshuda’ report. This Court has now directed that an FIR must be registered. That matter is still pending and this Court has issued notice to all States and is monitoring it,” Upadhyay submitted.
Justice V. Mohana noted that several government initiatives and schemes were already in place to address issues concerning children.
“A lot of initiatives and schemes have already been introduced by the government, including Beti Bachao. A number of directions have also been issued.”
The Court also observed that existing directions already covered aspects concerning investigation of kidnapping cases.
After considering the submissions, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Union Government and concerned authorities on the plea.
The matter was accordingly taken up for a response from the Centre.
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