Supreme Court issues guidelines for protecting survivors of human trafficking

The Supreme Court on Friday, May 29, 2026, issued comprehensive guidelines for the government and authorities to protect young women from human trafficking (CSE) for commercial sexual exploitation.

A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan said the verdict in the case, which has been pending in the top court for over 22 years, is “close to our hearts”.

The court gave detailed guidelines on establishing a uniform victim protection protocol for CSE survivors. The court said human trafficking was an affront to constitutional dignity.

“We tried our best,” Justice Pardiwala said.

The brief statement in the courtroom saw Justice Mahadevan appreciate senior advocate Aparna Bhat’s lengthy representation in the matter.

“History will long remember your efforts in this case,” Justice Mahadevan told Ms. Bhat.

The petition, which highlights the lack of laws and protective mechanisms for young girls trafficked for prostitution, was submitted by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Prajwala in 2004.

The petition highlighted the inadequacy of the laws and institutional support system regarding the prevention and protection of CSE victims, and specifically how women and children trafficked for CSE were treated before, during rescue and rehabilitation.

“Human trafficking for prostitution is a highly lucrative economic crime that serves a demand driven by a sophisticated network of human traffickers who are acutely aware of the limitations of law enforcement agencies in dealing with the crime. Over the years, the background and nature of human trafficking has been seen to change as the age of the trafficked person declines rapidly. Traditionally, the trafficked victim was the victim of a financial temptation made to her or her family by a trusted person. The petition states that the attraction includes employment, attraction, rescue from a troubled family, marriage It was stated that it varies between etc.