Delhi High Court Seeks Response from Police on Alleged Laxity Resulting in Re-Trafficking of Minor Girls
The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Delhi Police in response to a petition alleging lapses in handling the custody of minor girls rescued from commercial sexual exploitation rackets in the case Just Rights For Children Alliance & Anr. v. State of NCT of Delhi & Ors.. Justice Ravinder Dudeja directed the police to clarify whether their alleged negligence contributed to the re-trafficking of the rescued minors. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 17.
6/27/20251 min read
In Just Rights For Children Alliance & Anr. v. State of NCT of Delhi & Ors., petitioners—two NGOs—allege that Delhi Police mishandled the release of minors rescued from sex trafficking rackets, resulting in some being re-trafficked.
Specifically, after raids at Burari and Wazirabad, 8 girls (including 3 minors) in the first case and 7 girls (5 minors) in the second were allegedly handed back to their parents without proper oversight or requisite medical and legal procedures.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja, presiding over the matter, focused on whether police conduct contravened the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956—statutes mandating that rescued minors be produced before the Child Welfare Committee, subjected to medical examination, and placed in child‑sensitive custody.
The court emphasized that these safeguards are critical to preventing re‑trafficking. It observed prima facie indications that such procedures may have been disregarded, warranting a formal explanation from the police.
At this stage, the Court has not issued a final judgment. Instead, it has issued a notice to the Delhi Police. The police have been directed to respond in detail to the allegations, including whether their alleged negligence contributed to the re-trafficking of the rescued minors.
The matter is listed for further proceedings on July 17, 2025, at which point the court will consider the police’s formal response and decide on subsequent steps.
While no formal judicial findings have been issued yet, the Delhi High Court has moved swiftly to address serious concerns about police protocol in handling child trafficking rescues. The notice to the police reflects the court’s intent to ensure statutory compliance and bolster protective mechanisms for vulnerable minors. Further hearings and the police response will determine whether legal accountability will follow.