Supreme Court Asks National Judicial Academy for Guidelines on Rescued Adult Women

The Supreme Court requested the National Judicial Academy to prepare a uniform protocol for magistrates conducting threshold inquiries concerning adult women rescued from trafficking situations.

Background and dispute

The direction arose during monitoring of a victim-protection plan in Prajwala v Union of India. The inquiry under Section 17 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act informs decisions about protection, safe custody and rehabilitation.

Legal issue and court’s approach

Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan emphasised the woman’s wishes, voluntariness, social-worker assessment, coercion risks and safety concerns. The Court said the inquiry remains necessary even when an adult says her work was voluntary.

Order and practical consequence

The NGO may assist the Academy; the Centre must report compliance. The matter is listed for December 14.