• Recognition of Reality: The Court declared child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation as a “deeply disturbing reality” in India, flourishing despite protective laws.
• Victim-Centric Approach: It emphasized that courts must not dismiss a child’s testimony due to minor inconsistencies, urging sensitivity in evaluating evidence.
• Constitutional Framing: Trafficking was described as striking at the very foundations of dignity and bodily integrity, violating the state’s constitutional duty to safeguard children.
• Organized Crime Recognition: The judgment highlighted the complex, layered networks of traffickers—recruiting, transporting, and exploiting minors in coordinated cartels.

• Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty
  • Protects every child’s right to live with dignity, free from exploitation.
  • The Court emphasized that trafficking violates the essence of life itself.
• Article 23 – Prohibition of Trafficking and Forced Labour
  • Explicitly bans trafficking, begar (bonded labour), and other forms of forced labour.
  • The judgment reinforces that trafficking is a direct violation of this constitutional safeguard.
• Article 24 – Prohibition of Child Labour in Hazardous Employment
  • Protects children under 14 from hazardous work.
  • Trafficking often pushes minors into exploitative labour, making Article 24 a critical shield.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)
  • Article 39(e) & (f): Mandates the State to protect children from abuse and ensure opportunities for healthy development.
  • The Court’s stance aligns with these guiding principles, urging the State to act beyond mere law enforcement.

• Credibility of Child Witnesses
  • Courts must not dismiss a child’s testimony due to minor inconsistencies.
  • Recognizes that trauma, fear, and age can affect memory and narration.
• Victim-Centric Approach
  • Judges must adopt a sensitive lens when evaluating evidence from trafficked children.
  • Testimonies should be assessed in the context of exploitation, not rigid technicalities.
• Protection of Dignity
  • The Court emphasized that child victims must be treated with respect, avoiding secondary victimization during trial.
  • Proceedings should safeguard the child’s privacy and emotional well-being.
• Recognition of Vulnerability
  • Children from marginalized backgrounds are especially vulnerable; their testimonies must be given due weight.
  • Courts must acknowledge the power imbalance between victims and traffickers.
• Consistency with Constitutional Rights
  • Testimony guidelines are rooted in Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) and Article 23 (Prohibition of Trafficking).
  • The Court reinforced that protecting child witnesses is part of the State’s constitutional duty.

• Weak Policing and Investigations
  • Trafficking cartels operate with impunity due to poor intelligence gathering and lack of specialized anti-trafficking units.
  • Victims often go unrescued because local enforcement is under-resourced or complicit.
• Slow Judicial Processes
  • Cases drag on for years, discouraging victims from testifying.
  • Conviction rates remain low, undermining deterrence.
• Inadequate Victim Protection
  • Survivors face stigma, threats, and lack of rehabilitation facilities.
  • Without safe shelters and psychological support, many victims are retraumatized during trials.
• Corruption and Collusion
  • Traffickers exploit loopholes and sometimes collude with officials, weakening enforcement.
  • Bribes and political protection shield trafficking networks.
• Socio-Economic Vulnerability
  • Poverty, lack of education, and migration pressures feed the supply chain of trafficking.
  • Enforcement alone cannot succeed without addressing these root causes.

• Strengthening Law Enforcement
  • Establish specialized anti-trafficking units with intelligence-led policing.
  • Increase border vigilance and monitoring of transit points.
• Community Awareness
  • Grassroots campaigns to educate families about trafficking risks.
  • School-based programs to empower children with knowledge of their rights.
• Economic Empowerment
  • Livelihood schemes for vulnerable families to reduce susceptibility.
  • Skill development programs for rural youth to prevent migration-based exploitation.
• Digital Monitoring
  • Track online recruitment and grooming by traffickers.
  • Cyber cells to monitor trafficking-related activity on social media.

• Safe Shelters
  • Establish government-funded, trauma-informed shelters for rescued children.
  • Ensure privacy, safety, and non-stigmatizing environments.
• Psychological Support
  • Counseling and therapy to address trauma and rebuild self-esteem.
  • Training caregivers and social workers in trauma-sensitive care.
• Education and Skill Development
  • Reintegration through schooling, vocational training, and scholarships.
  • Special focus on girls, who face compounded stigma.
• Legal and Social Reintegration
  • Free legal aid to support survivors in pursuing justice.
  • Community reintegration programs to prevent re-trafficking.

• Fast-Track Courts: Establish dedicated trafficking courts to ensure swift justice.
• Victim-Centric Procedures: Train judges and prosecutors to handle child testimony with sensitivity.
• Uniform Guidelines: Apply Supreme Court’s directives consistently across all lower courts.

• Specialized Anti-Trafficking Units: Police forces with intelligence-led operations to dismantle trafficking networks.
• Cross-Border Cooperation: Strengthen collaboration with neighboring countries to curb transnational trafficking.
• Accountability Mechanisms: Crack down on corruption and collusion within enforcement agencies.

• Community Awareness: Grassroots campaigns to educate families about trafficking risks.
• Economic Empowerment: Livelihood schemes and skill development to reduce vulnerability.
• Digital Vigilance: Monitor online recruitment and grooming by traffickers.

• Safe Shelters: Trauma-informed facilities for rescued children.
• Psychological Support: Counseling and therapy to rebuild confidence.
• Education & Skills: Reintegration through schooling, vocational training, and scholarships.
• Community Acceptance: Programs to reduce stigma and prevent re-trafficking.

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