Supreme Court lays guidelines on child trafficking cases

20-Dec-2025

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The Supreme Court of India on Dec 19 highlighted the "deeply disturbing reality of child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in India" and observed that it is "an offence that strikes at the very foundations of dignity, bodily integrity, and the State’s constitutional promise of protection to every child."

The Bench further pointed out that special attention must be given to the process by which evidence from child victims is assessed, particularly when the victims come from marginalised or socially backward communities. 

The top court stressed that such children face heightened vulnerabilities due to their socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, requiring a careful and sensitive judicial approach.

The judgment notes the presence of complex and organised crime networks functioning at multiple levels, involving recruitment, transportation, harbouring, and exploitation of child victims.