Supreme Court wants practical SOP to combat human trafficking cases

The Supreme Court has called for the creation of a practical, time-sensitive and uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to combat human trafficking cases.

“The Court is not interested in any hypothetical or academic formula, rather it is interested in a practical strategy/approach that can be immediately implemented/embedded at the level of the local police station under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred,” a Bench headed by Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah said in a recent order.

running against time

The nine-page court decision said time “is of the utmost importance” from the moment police file a missing person complaint. The guidelines should help create a procedural framework for police to take action as soon as a complaint is received, it said.

The court directed the Union Home Minister, Home Ministers and Director Generals of Police of States and Union Territories to hold a discussion with stakeholders specifically concerned with human trafficking issues within their jurisdiction to submit certain proposals/suggestions for the apex court’s consideration.

The court scheduled the next hearing for April 21.

“Initially, it will be limited to the very basic subject of the investigation, ensuring that it is not only initiated immediately on receipt of a report of any missing person, but that it is also pursued in earnest, but rather in the background, keeping the case alive not only on paper but actually on the ground, until the final location of the person is found,” the apex court reiterated in the judgment.

Besides seeking the help of senior advocate HS Phoolka, who assisted the Delhi High Court in preparing an SOP to deal with human trafficking cases in the national capital, the apex court also constituted a committee comprising Chief Minister Nair, former IPS officer and NDRF DG; Veerendra Kumar Mishra, IPS, Director, Ministry of Home Affairs; and SD Sanjay, Additional Solicitor General.

“The Union of India, the States and the Union Territories shall take guidance from and involve the committee at every stage,” the court ordered.

He stated that Union Home Ministers as well as State governments and Union Territories should involve Directors General of Police and other agencies directly dealing with human trafficking cases before finalizing their reports.