The Supreme Court on Tuesday laid down extensive guidelines to be followed by States to prevent child trafficking and to deal with cases involving child trafficking offences..A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan also directed High Courts across the country to issue directions to lower courts to complete trial in child trafficking cases in six months."State governments shall take a look at the detailed recommendations by us and study the report which was submitted by Bhartiya Institute and implement the same at the earliest. High Courts across the country are directed to call for status of pending trial in child trafficking cases. Then directions shall be issued to complete trial in 6 months and also conduct day to day trial," the Court ordered. Any laxity showing to implement the directions would be taken seriously and be treated as contempt of court, the Bench added.Importantly, the Court said that if a new born is stolen from hospital, the first step to be taken is to cancel the license of the concerned hospital."If any new born is trafficked from a hospital, the first step should be suspend the license of such hospitals. if any lady comes to deliver a child to the hospital and the baby is stolen, the first step is suspension of license," the Court ordered.The Court issued the directions while hearing anticipatory bail pleas filed by accused in a child trafficking case from Uttar Pradesh.The top court today slammed both the Allahabad High Court and the Uttar Pradesh government for the manner in which they dealt with the matter."The High Court dealt with bail applications callously and it led to many accused to abscond. These accused pose serious threat to society. Least which was required from High Court while granting bail was to impose a condition to mark presence in police station every week. The police lost track of all accused persons," the Court opined.As regards the State, the Court said,"We are thoroughly disappointed how State of UP handled this and why no appeal was made. No seriousness was showing worth the name," the Court stated.The case involved a stolen baby being delivered to a couple who were desirous of having a son. "It appears the accused was longing for a son and then got a son got for ₹4 lakh. If you desire a son.. you cannot go for a trafficked child. He knew that the baby was stolen," the Court noted..Directions shall be issued by High Courts to complete trial in child trafficking cases within 6 months and also to conduct day to day trial.Supreme Court.Therefore, the Court proceeded to cancel the bail granted to the accused."All accused directed to surrender and they shall be sent to judicial custody. We direct CJM Varanasi and ACJM Varanasi to commit the cases to court of sessions within two weeks. Charges shall be framed within one week. If it's informed that some accused have absconded, the trial court to issue non bailable warrants. Trial of those present shall go on and not be delayed. Once charge is framed concerned court shall proceed on recording of evidence preferably within a week. Three special public prosecutors to be appointed by state and police protection to be given to the witnesses. We direct that trafficked children are admitted in school under Right to Education Act and continue to provide them education. The trial court to pass orders with regard to compensation under BNSS and the UP state law as well," the Court ordered..We are thoroughly disappointed how State of UP handled this.Supreme Court.Pertinently, the Court also took cognisance of a report in Times of India and directed the police to submit a report on steps taken to tackle gangs involved in child trafficking. "We have also taken cognizance of the Times of India report and we have directed the police officer looking into this to report status of the case and what steps are being taken to tackle such gangs working outside and inside Delhi," the judgment said. The issue will be heard again on April 21..Senior Advocate Aparna Bhat appeared for petitioner Sanjay, who highlighted the plight of victims of organised child trafficking racket..The Union of India was represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.Advocate Garvesh Kabra appeared for State of Uttar Pradesh, advocate Sarad Kumar Singhania appeared for State of Madhya Pradesh and advocate Milind Kumar appeared for State of Rajasthan..[Read Live Coverage]
