On Monday, the Allahabad High Court asked the UP government’s stand on a plea seeking the establishment of special courts in every district to try cases related to human trafficking allegedly on the rise in the state.( Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan v. State of UP & Anr.)
A Bench comprising of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Piyush Agrawal was hearing a petition concerning the rise of human trafficking in the State.
According to the petitioner, human trafficking in the State of Uttar Pradesh is on rise but due to lack of courts, no adequate steps have been taken to combat such trafficking. The submission is supported by placing on record several official documents as well as the studies made by different non-governmental organizations.
Learned counsel for the petitioner Advocate Raj Kumar Kesari, has also brought to our notice that even during the period of Covid-19 restrictions, such trafficking is rampaned. A complete study made by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes was also placed on record wherein Chapter- 6A relates human trafficking and its impact in different states of the country.
Seeking the government's response on the plea, a bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Piyush Agrawal slated January 18 for the next hearing of the matter.
Note: Section 22A of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 provides for establishment of Special Courts by the State Governments. This provision is however not mandatory and is subject to 'satisfaction' of the Government that the situation in a particular region warrants establishment of special Courts.
It States: "If the State Government is satisfied that it is necessary for the purpose of providing for speedy trial of offences under this Act in any district or metropolitan area, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette and after consultation with the High Court, establish one or more courts of Judicial Magistrates of the first class, or, as the case may be, Metropolitan Magistrates, in such district or metropolitan area."
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