Kerala HC directs CBI probe into child trafficking cases

Describing child trafficking as a menace which has to be combated by all concerned, the Kerala High Court on Monday directed a CBI investigation into such cases reported in the state.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and AM Shaffique directed CBI to take over two cases registered by Palakkad railway police and other cases of child trafficking from outside the state to Kerala.

In a 99-page landmark judgement, the court said that repeated incidents of bringing a large number of children to the state in violation of rules and regulations clearly indicated the necessity of proper investigation and punishment to the guilty.

The court directed that no orphanages or child homes shall receive children from outside the state, except in accordance with law. Such facilities should get prior approval of orphanage control board and recommendations of the state governments concerned, the bench said.

The high court said Child Welfare Committees shall take appropriate measures in accordance with Juvenile Justice Act with regard to children who are still housed in orphans and child homes.

All orphanages shall get registered under Juvenile Justice Act 2000 and no exemption shall be granted to houses registered under 1960 Act, the Bench said.

The judgement was passed while hearing PILs by NGO Thampu and others, who sought the intervention of the high court to stop incidents of children being trafficked to orphanages in Kerala from other states.