Supreme Court directs states, UTs to notify anti-human trafficking units as police stations

The Supreme Court has directed all States and Union Territories to grant police station status to Anti-Human Trafficking Units (ATHUs) by issuing appropriate notifications in accordance with the law, saying the move is essential to implement its Victim Protection Plan to combat human trafficking.

A bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan asked the Home Departments of all States and Union Territories to act on the direction at the earliest. It also directed the Union government to take up the matter with the states and UTs and ensure that the required notifications are issued.

Supreme Court flags gaps in implementation

The direction was issued during a continuing hearing on compliance with the Supreme Court’s May 29, 2026 judgment on the trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation.

Senior advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing for the petitioner, told the bench that ATHUs needed to be accorded police station status in line with paragraph 362(b)(iii) of the main judgment.

Accepting the submission, the court directed the respective Home Departments to issue appropriate notifications in accordance with the law. It said the Union government must also take up the issue with every State and Union Territory and ensure that the notifications are issued promptly.

Other measures under Victim Protection Plan remain pending

The bench noted that all States and Union Territories had not fully complied with four additional directions contained in paragraph 456 of its main judgment. These measures are part of the broader Victim Protection Plan, framed by the court under Article 142 of the Constitution.

The outstanding directions include notifying recognised welfare institutions under Sections 15(6A) and 17A of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; preparing state-wide and UT-wide lists of eligible social welfare workers; and appointing Police Nodal Officers and Government Nodal Officers.

The court stressed that these steps were “absolutely necessary for the ground-level implementation” of the Victim Protection Plan, which aims to strengthen safeguards for victims of human trafficking.

Union asked to ensure compliance before next hearing

The Supreme Court directed the Union government to ensure full compliance with its directions by the next hearing. It also asked the Centre to obtain information from all stakeholders on the steps taken to implement the Victim Protection Plan and submit a fresh status report.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 14, 2026.