SC asks Centre to prepare action plan on girl trafficking

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to come out with an action plan to prevent trafficking of girls for sexual exploitation, their rescue and rehabilitation after holding discussions with all states.

It asked the Centre to discuss the report of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of the victims of trafficking for commercial and sexual exploitation at this meeting.

The bench headed by Justice A R Dave gave the directions after hearing senior advocate Dushyant Dave, who sought urgent directions for the authorities saying that the problem is grave. "We need to do something urgently," he told the bench which also comprised Justices Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph.

Dave, representing NGO 'Prajwala' which had moved the court against the trafficking of girls and women for commercial sexual exploitation, also lauded the NALSA for its recommendations.

The court noted that the Central Advisory Committee was scheduled to deliberate on NALSA's recommendations on September three and directed that the Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories must participate in it.

It also directed the Centre to place before it the minutes of the meeting and file an affidavit within three weeks after September 3 meeting elaborating the steps likely to be taken by it on each recommendation of NALSA which was lauded by all in the court.

The NALSA, in its report filed with the apex court, has suggested roles of various stakeholders in the prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking for commercial and sexual exploitation. The report has sought a direction to the Centre that an organised crime investigation agency be set up to investigate the cases of human trafficking and organised crime.

"The court may direct the setting up of a committee by the central government to work out the modalities of setting up such a specialised agency," it said.

"This court may direct that till such time an organised crime investigation agency is set up, the Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), which works under the ministry of Home Affairs, may be declared as a 'thana' for facilitating registration and investigation of cases," it said.

PTI