SC Cancels Bail Of 13 Accused In Inter-State Child Trafficking Case, Orders Expedited Trials In Guria India Case

Lucknow: In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of India has cancelled the bail of 13 accused involved in an inter-state child trafficking racket busted by Guria India, a Varanasi-based NGO. The judgment, delivered on April 15 directed all High Courts across the country to expedite pending child trafficking trials and ensure they are completed within six months.

The Apex Court's ruling comes in response to an appeal filed by the victims’ parents, represented by senior advocate Aparna Bhat, challenging the Allahabad High Court's order granting bail to the accused—many of whom remain absconding.

The 95-page verdict exposed the horrifying reality of organized child trafficking rings that abduct children and sell them across states for forced labour, begging, sexual exploitation, child marriage, and even illegal adoption camouflaged as inter-country procedures. In one particularly disturbing revelation, one of the accused was found to be a nurse at a government-run primary health centre in Chhattisgarh.

The court pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for its inaction, questioning why it failed to challenge the High Court's bail orders and expressing deep disappointment over the state’s lack of seriousness in tackling such a grave issue.

The bench observed that the state exhibited "no seriousness worth the name" in dealing with the organised criminal racket, which was initially unearthed by Guria India in 2023. The NGO's efforts led to the rescue of five children from Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Allahabad and the arrest of more than 20 accused from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand.

Guria had managed to get the bail applications rejected at the district court level, but the accused were subsequently released by the Allahabad High Court. The NGO then moved the Supreme Court, which not only quashed the bail but also passed wide-ranging directions aimed at systemic reform.

In its ruling, the court ordered the accused to surrender before the committal court, which in turn must remand them to judicial custody. It further directed that charges be framed within a week after the cases are transferred to the sessions court and asked that trials be conducted on a day-to-day basis to ensure completion within six months.

The court also instructed the state government to appoint three special public prosecutors and provide police protection to the victims and their families to prevent tampering with evidence.

The judgment also includes directives to trace and apprehend absconding accused within two months and ensure that rescued children are enrolled in schools under the Right to Education Act. The trial court has been instructed to determine appropriate compensation for victims under the BNSS 2023 and the Uttar Pradesh Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Evam Bal Samman Kosh.

The court also emphasized that any hospital found complicit in the trafficking of newborns should have its license suspended immediately. It reiterated that hospitals are responsible for the protection of newborns and must ensure their safety during and after delivery.

In a move that further underscores the case’s gravity, the Supreme Court expedited the hearing of Guria’s PIL filed in 2024, which highlights the same trafficking cases and seeks a broader intervention in combating child trafficking nationwide. The court has scheduled a review of compliance with its orders in October 2025.

The landmark judgment is a significant victory for Guria India and a call to action for state institutions. It reaffirms the role of civil society in exposing organized crime and strengthens the judicial resolve to ensure justice for the most vulnerable.