PIL on Missing Girls and Child Trafficking

The issue of missing children, particularly girls, remains a critical concern in Telangana, with thousands of cases going unresolved or mishandled. Advocate Rapolu Bhaskar, in his Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Telangana High Court, has raised serious questions about the state’s failure to address the alarming rise in missing children, including many girls who are often victims of trafficking.

The Problem of Missing Girls

According to the PIL, a staggering 2,000 children went missing between 2015 and 2018 in Telangana alone. A significant number of these children were girls, who, in many cases, have been trafficked into prostitution, forced labor, or other forms of exploitation. The lack of a comprehensive policy on dealing with missing children, especially girls, is a key issue highlighted by Bhaskar in his PIL.

The bench of Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice A. Abhishek Reddy, while hearing the case, expressed concern over the manner in which the police were closing cases of missing children without making efforts to trace their whereabouts or investigate the circumstances surrounding their disappearances. Bhaskar’s PIL calls for immediate action from the state government to develop a robust mechanism for tracking missing girls and ensuring their safe return to their families.

The Danger of Human Trafficking

One of the critical aspects of the PIL is the focus on child trafficking, particularly the trafficking of girls into prostitution. Advocate Rapolu Bhaskar highlighted that many tribal girls from states like Rajasthan are often trafficked into cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and others, where they are forced into illegal activities, including sex work. Bhaskar drew attention to the case of several tribal girls from Rajasthan who were rescued in Gujarat, only to have the state falsely claim that they had arrived in search of employment.

The bench emphasized the serious nature of trafficking, where girls are sold into prostitution, and boys are often forced into bonded labor. The Telangana High Court has called for the state to provide more detailed information on the number of children trafficked and the efforts made to rescue and rehabilitate them. The PIL seeks to ensure that police take the necessary steps to track and rescue missing girls, particularly those at risk of being trafficked.

Addressing Interstate Issues and Bureaucratic Hurdles

Another concern raised in the PIL is the reluctance of some states, such as Bihar, to accept their rescued children. In some cases, rescued children cannot be reunited with their families due to bureaucratic hurdles, such as the requirement for states to pay compensation for each child rescued. This is particularly concerning when a state is unwilling to cooperate, making it difficult for children to return home, especially when they are from vulnerable backgrounds. Bhaskar’s PIL urges the Telangana government to develop a collaborative framework with other states to ensure that rescued children can be safely handed over to their families.

The Role of the Court

In response to the PIL, the Telangana High Court has issued notices to the state government and its authorities, questioning them on their policy regarding missing children and how they plan to handle cases involving children rescued from other states. The court has also asked for a sociological survey of the missing and rescued children, particularly those from tribal and weaker communities, who are often the primary targets of trafficking.

The court has further requested senior counsel L Ravichandar to assist as an amicus curiae, ensuring that the matter is addressed with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that prioritizes the safety and welfare of vulnerable children.

Moving Forward: A Call for Reform

Advocate Rapolu Bhaskar’s PIL is an urgent call to action, demanding that the Telangana state government take swift and concrete steps to address the problem of missing girls and child trafficking. The installation of a clear and effective policy for the tracking and recovery of missing children, especially girls, is critical to preventing further exploitation and abuse. The involvement of the judiciary in this matter is crucial in pushing the state to act decisively and responsibly.

Bhaskar’s PIL is a step toward ensuring that law enforcement agencies not only track down missing children but also protect them from the dangers of trafficking and exploitation. The advocacy for comprehensive and collaborative policies across states reflects a broader push for systemic reform in the handling of missing children cases in India.

This PIL aims to ensure that every missing girl is given the attention and care she deserves, and that the state plays an active role in reuniting her with her family, all while safeguarding her from further harm. Through this legal intervention, Bhaskar hopes to set a precedent for tackling the deep-rooted issues surrounding child trafficking, especially the trafficking of girls for exploitation.