A Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia questioned the lack of effective action, remarking that Delhi has become a 'mandi' (hub) for child trafficking.

The court observed that anyone visiting key stations like New Delhi or Nizamuddin for a short period could witness the gravity of the situation.

Despite existing Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and earlier court directions, the Bench noted that the problem persists due to poor implementation.

The court said that while measures have been framed, their ineffective execution has allowed trafficking to continue unchecked.

The court has sought responses from multiple authorities, including the Union Ministry of Railways, Delhi Police, Delhi government, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

These agencies have been directed to file detailed affidavits within the stipulated timeframe, along with data on child trafficking cases in Delhi.

During the hearing, the petitioner highlighted instances of rescued children being trafficked again due to lapses in rehabilitation and monitoring.

In one case, a rescued minor was allegedly found working again at the same location, raising serious concerns about enforcement failures.

It was pointed out that over 84,000 children have reportedly been trafficked in the past six years, underscoring the scale of the issue.

The court emphasised the need for coordinated efforts and strict implementation of existing laws to curb trafficking and ensure the safety of vulnerable children.

The matter remains under consideration, with further directions expected after reviewing responses from the concerned authorities.