In order to take a strict action against the surging human trafficking cases, the Central Government published a draft of the Trafficking (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill.
This bill is significant as it makes the offence of child trafficking punishable with death as well.
Though it’s a draft, some relevant sections of this Bill could be glanced at. Section 23 of the Bill deals with trafficking in persons. It includes all such activities which are committed with an intention to cause harm to an individual’s liberty and makes it punishable for upto 10 years of imprisonment.
If any person is found recruiting, transporting, harbouring or transferring another person, by means of threat, force, coercion, fraud, deception etc., for the purpose of exploiting that individual, then the former shall be held guilty of the offence of human trafficking and upon conviction, would be subjected to minimum seven years of imprisonment, maximum ten.
Apart from this, Section 25 of the Bill deals with aggravated form of trafficking in persons. If the offence results in death of victim or death as a result of suicide; results in substantial physical or mental incapacitation or genital mutilation; exposes the victim to an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; usage of any chemical substance on persons for early sexual maturity; etc. would constitute such aggravated form of trafficking in humans.
Lastly, Section 26 provides for punishment for the numerous aggravated forms of trafficking in humans listed under Section 25. It includes life imprisonment or death sentence in case found guilty.
Currently, this bill is open for suggestions/comments, the information of which was conveyed through concerned Ministry through public notice.
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