HC moots CBI probe into child trafficking case

KOCHI: The Kerala high court on Thursday said alleged trafficking of children from other states to orphanages in Kerala calls for an investigation by CBI, since the case involves more than one state.

A division bench comprising chief justice Manjula Chellur and justice P R Ramachandra Menon also made CBI a party in the case while considering petitions filed by two city-based NGOs.

The division bench said courts have a duty to step in as guardians and act accordingly when it comes to issues related to children.

The state government came for sharp rebuke from HC when advocate general K P Dandapani said “all children brought to Kerala without adequate documents have been sent back to their native places. The bench said the government should ensure that the children are reunited with their parents.”

“Although there are laws to prevent mushrooming of orphanages, why are they not being implemented,” the court asked, while suggesting that it is time the government gave serious consideration to such matters.