Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society. It is a crime against humanity.” —Pope Francis

“Child trafficking is one of the most serious and heinous forms of exploitation which not only impacts the child and the family but threatens the very fabric of the society” Bombay HC observed in the case of Parandam Rajaram Gudenti v. State of Maharashtra, while rejecting the bail plea of the applicant and quoted, “Considering the gravity of the offence, I am not inclined to exercise the discretion under Section 439 of the Cr.P.C. in favour of the Applicant, who is involved in child trafficking racket.”

In the instant matter, a 10-month-old baby was kidnapped in 2021 and he belonged to a family living on footpaths near a traffic police booth in suburban Bandra (Mumbai), while the family was asleep. Later the police found that the child was sold to a childless couple for rupees 35000. During the transaction, the baby was passed on from one accused to another. Parandam was one of the intermediaries and he bought the child for Rs. 1.5 lakh, further sold the boy to another accused for Rs. 1.3 lakh, who in turn sold the child to the childless couple.

A single Judge bench of Justice Anuja Prabhdesai further observed that “The footpath dwellers particularly street children are the most vulnerable and marginalised section of the society, prone to victimization and exploitation.”