Human trafficking is a serious violation of human dignity and a serious criminal offence.
Trafficking may involve the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons for exploitation through methods such as threat, force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or inducement, as defined under applicable law.
Constitutional Protection
Article 23 of the Constitution of India prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labour.
Criminal Law Protection
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), trafficking of persons is specifically addressed in Section 143. The law covers trafficking for purposes of exploitation and provides enhanced punishment in specified circumstances.
The BNS also contains provisions concerning exploitation of trafficked persons and unlawful compulsory labour.
The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 is another important legislation addressing certain forms of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. It contains provisions concerning procuring, inducing or taking persons for prostitution and related exploitation.
Forms of Exploitation
Trafficking may involve:
- Sexual exploitation
- Forced labour
- Bonded or exploitative labour
- Slavery or practices similar to slavery
- Servitude
- Forced begging
- Trafficking of children
- Criminal exploitation
- Removal of organs
- Other forms of exploitation covered by law
Who Can Become a Victim?
Any person can potentially become a victim of trafficking, including:
- Women
- Children
- Men
- Migrant workers
- Economically vulnerable persons
- Persons from disadvantaged communities
- Persons recruited through fraudulent employment opportunities
Warning Signs
Citizens should be alert to:
- Fake employment opportunities
- Suspicious overseas-job offers
- Promises of unusually high salaries
- Confiscation of identity documents
- Restriction of movement
- Threats or coercion
- Unpaid or forced labour
- Recruitment through deception
- Forced sexual exploitation
- Suspicious transportation or recruitment of children
- A person being controlled against their will
How Can You Help?
If you suspect human trafficking:
- Do not confront suspected traffickers yourself.
- If someone is in immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency or police authority.
- Provide factual information to the competent authority.
- Preserve relevant information only where it can be done safely and lawfully.
- Do not publish the victim's identity or sensitive personal information.
- Encourage the victim to access appropriate legal, medical and protection services.
What Is the Benefit of Reporting?
Timely reporting can help competent authorities identify and protect victims, prevent further exploitation and investigate suspected offences in accordance with law.
CRPC Assistance
CRPC may:
- Conduct anti-trafficking awareness programmes.
- Educate citizens about warning signs.
- Receive credible information concerning suspected trafficking.
- Guide individuals towards appropriate authorities.
- Facilitate communication with competent authorities where appropriate.
- Promote awareness regarding victims' rights and protection.
- Support community-level trafficking-prevention programmes.
Important Disclaimer
CRPC is not a police or investigative agency. CRPC representatives do not have powers to arrest suspects, conduct searches, interrogate persons or independently conduct criminal investigations or rescues.
Suspected trafficking should be reported to the police, law-enforcement, child-protection or other legally competent authority.
