Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed both the Allahabad High court and Uttar Pradesh government for their ignorant approach in a child trafficking case, while setting clear guidelines for all the states to ensure the prevention of child trafficking and offences emanating from them.

After quashing the Allahabad High Court order that granted bail to three accused in the child trafficking case, the top court forewarned if a newborn goes missing from a hospital, the first step should be to cancel the licence of the hospital.

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The apex court made the judgement while hearing a petition challenging bail for the accused in a child trafficking case. The petition was filed by the mother of a child who approached the top court after the high court granted anticipatory bail to the accused.

The bench, headed by Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan, also directed all the state high courts to issue the necessary directions to lower courts to complete trials in child trafficking cases within six months.

The case was about a baby being stolen from a hospital by the accused. The accused then delivered the newborn baby to a couple who wanted to have a son.

Pulling up the Allahabad High Court, the top court observed that “these accused pose a serious threat to society,” adding that the least required of the high court while granting a bail was to impose a condition to mark attendance at a police station every week. “These police lost track of all the accused persons,” the court noted.

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The court further asked all the accused to surrender, directing that they must be sent to judicial custody. “Charges shall be framed within one week. If it’s informed that some accused have absconded, the trial court will issue non-bailable warrants. Trials of those present shall go on and not be delayed,” it pointed out.

While stating that the hospital licence would be canceled in case if a child goes missing, the court highlighted that it is the responsibility of the hospital administration to protect the newborn infant in all respects.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau report, India reports around 2,000 cases of child trafficking every year. In 2022 alone, a total of 2250 such cases will be reported.