The Court heard a motion seeking to enforce a 2015 decision which had taken note of the Center’s position on the creation of the Organized Crime Investigation Agency (OCIA) and the strengthening of the Protocol for the Protection of Victims of Sex Trafficking.

In this order, the Court had also urged the Union to consider promulgating a comprehensive framework for the rehabilitation of these victims.

Regarding the establishment of the OCIA, the union had informed the Court in its earlier affidavit that in lieu of such training, amendments were made to the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 ( NIA) to address the issue.

However, the Court expressed concerns that the amendments to the NIA Act may not adequately provide protection for victims, because at best, they can prosecute sex trafficking perpetrators but cannot protect victims.

“While it is important to prevent human trafficking, as well as prosecute and punish perpetrators of such heinous crimes, it is equally important that legislative mechanisms focus on providing care, protection and rehabilitation to victims of trafficking. “ underlined the Court.