Hyderabad: Expressing serious concern over widespread illegal adoption and human trafficking of babies and young children in the state, the Telangana high court has instituted a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) to monitor child trafficking and oversee the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Vakiti Ramakrishna Reddy converted the ongoing proceedings in a writ appeal filed by adoptive parents seeking custody of an infant into a public interest petition. The PIL has been titled, “Re: In the Matter of Illegal Adoption and Human Trafficking of Infants and Children in the State of Telangana.”The bench observed that reports submitted by authorities highlighted a rampant problem involving numerous infants whose biological parents remain untraced, while organisers and middlemen continue to evade arrest.The bench noted that the Home Department’s report revealed that police action had been initiated in 30 cases involving the rescue of children, who are currently placed in state care.Authorities have named 176 accused persons, including buyers, sellers, organisers, mediators, and suppliers, in these cases. Cross-verified data showed that individual operations recovered up to 15 children in Malkajgiri and 11 in Suryapet. “Biological parents have been traced in only 27 cases, with 26 reported to the Child Welfare Committee, while one case involving a child in conflict with the law was referred to the Juvenile Justice Board,” the bench noted.Meanwhile, police informed the bench that interstate coordination and sustained efforts are underway to trace absconding accused persons and untraced biological parents, assuring the court of continued collaboration with child welfare agencies.The court, however, pointed out that in the present appeal, the middlewoman remains absconding and the infant’s biological parents are yet to be traced.Meanwhile, senior counsel and amicus curiae B Mayur Reddy submitted a report detailing the prevailing conditions at the Shishu Kendra in Nalgonda. He recommended regular visits by paediatricians, child psychologists, and behavioural therapists; deploying uniformed security guards at the facility’s entrance; and increasing the per-child monthly allocation from ₹2,500 to cover nutritious food, clothing, and medical supplements.Taking note of the report and the recommendations, the bench directed that the Home Department, Women Development and Child Welfare Department, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, and DGP, Women Safety Wing, Telangana, be impleaded as parties to the suo motu PIL and adjourned the hearing to Oct 5. The bench further clarified that it would separately hear the appeal filed by the couple on Oct 7.
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