Supreme Court ruling enhances victim protection for trafficking survivors, says Prajwala founder

A landmark Supreme Court judgment recognising the rights, dignity and rehabilitation needs of sex trafficking survivors could transform India’s anti-trafficking response, according to Prajwala founder Sunitha Krishnan, who addressed the media in Hyderabad on Thursday (June 4, 2026). The judgment, delivered on May 29 in the long-running Prajwala vs Union of India case, introduces a first-of-its-kind Victim Protection Plan (VPP) for victims of commercial sexual exploitation and lays down detailed procedures for rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration and prosecution. Krishnan said one of the most significant aspects of the ruling was its recognition that trafficking victims must be treated as victims rather than offenders. She said the judgment draws a clear distinction between adults engaged in voluntary sex work and those who have been trafficked or coerced into commercial sexual exploitation. “The court has clarified that when rescue operations are conducted, authorities may not immediately know who is acting voluntarily and who is under duress.

Therefore, everyone must initially be treated as a victim and brought under the VPP,” she said. Krishnan said the ruling also provides for compensation to adult victims of sex trafficking and strengthens access to rehabilitation services, legal representation and long-term support mechanisms. Calling for broader reforms, she urged the Union Government to enact a comprehensive law covering all human trafficking cases. She also highlighted the growing challenge of technology-enabled trafficking, facilitated through mobile applications, dating platforms and matrimonial websites, and called for urgent intervention.

Senior Supreme Court advocate Aparna Bhat, who was associated with the litigation, said the judgment was the culmination of a legal battle that began more than two decades ago. She noted that despite assurances made by the Union Government in 2015 regarding a dedicated anti-trafficking law and a specialised organised crime investigation agency, neither had materialised. Bhat said trafficking networks today operate across multiple States and international borders, making investigations highly complex and requiring specialised expertise. A survivor from West Bengal said she was rescued from trafficking in 2015 at the age of 20, but her trial is yet to begin 11 years later.

She expressed hope that the new framework would accelerate legal proceedings and ensure future survivors receive services and rights that were unavailable to many rescued women in the past. Another survivor from Odisha said social acceptance remained one of the biggest challenges after rescue. Recalling her experience, she said she faced stigma and judgement from her community after returning home before eventually rebuilding her life through rehabilitation and employment support provided by Prajwala. She said the judgment could help future survivors gain not only rehabilitation but also respect and dignity.

A survivor from Chittoor, who now works as a supervisor at Prajwala and trains other women, said compensation and rehabilitation support could help survivors pursue education, become financially independent and support their families.