New Law on Human Trafficking to be introduced: Govt

A law to guard against human trafficking is all set to be introduced by the government. While the repeat offenders are suggested life imprisonment, the punishment for those engaging in “aggravated forms of trafficking” is proposed at 10 years.

A bill to identify various forms of trafficking, including for the purposes of bonded labour, sexual exploitation, pornography, removal of organs and begging, has proposed severe punishment for those engaging in the heinous crime.

As per sources, initiated by the Women & Child Development Ministry, the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2017 is currently with a Group of Ministers (GoM) that will take a final view on the matter.

The bill proposes the forming of a national anti-trafficking bureau, which shall be delegated with the series of issues aimed at controlling and tackling the menace under various forms. These include coordination, monitoring and surveillance of illegal movement of persons and their prevention.

The bureau will also be entrusted with increasing cooperation and coordination with authorities concerned and organisations in foreign countries for strengthening operational and long-term intelligence for investigation of trafficking cases, and driving in mutual legal assistance.