SHADOWED LIVES: UNVEILING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN INDIA BY - KHUSHI SEHRAWAT

SHADOWED LIVES: UNVEILING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN INDIA
 
AUTHORED BY - KHUSHI SEHRAWAT
(BA.LLB. 2020-25)
 
  
 
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the multifaceted issue of human trafficking in India, where it continues to be a pervasive and growing concern. Despite legislative efforts and international agreements aimed at curbing the crime, human trafficking in India is still predominantly viewed through narrow lenses such as illegal migration and prostitution. This limited perspective often results in a focus on protecting state borders and ensuring national security, rather than addressing the human security of the trafficked individuals themselves. The overemphasis on state security tends to overlook the deep-rooted societal issues that drive trafficking, such as systemic poverty, entrenched gender inequality, economic vulnerability, and cultural practices that sanction exploitation.
 
By prioritizing the external symptoms of trafficking—such as border control and immigration violations—over the internal factors that render individuals susceptible to trafficking, policymakers often fail to address the root causes that perpetuate the cycle of exploitation. These underlying factors include widespread poverty, lack of education, gender-based violence, and structural inequalities that marginalize large sections of the population. Women and children, in particular, are disproportionately affected due to their lower social and economic status in many parts of India. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities, luring victims with false promises of employment, marriage, or better living conditions, only to subject them to forced labor, sexual exploitation, or even organ trafficking.
 
This paper seeks to delve deeper into the causes, methods, and criminal activities associated with human trafficking in India. By examining the specific vulnerabilities that drive individuals into the hands of traffickers, particularly women and children, the paper highlights how these individuals are manipulated and coerced into various forms of exploitation. The data and analysis presented here demonstrate that trafficking is not a singular issue confined to certain regions or demographics but is a widespread problem that cuts across different layers of Indian society.
 
Furthermore, this paper underscores the need for more comprehensive and targeted policies that go beyond superficial measures like border security and focus on the socio-economic factors that make trafficking possible. Preventive measures must be holistic, combining stronger legal enforcement with community-based interventions to protect vulnerable populations. Stringent enforcement of anti-trafficking laws, coupled with social programs aimed at alleviating poverty, improving gender equality, and increasing access to education and employment opportunities, are essential to curbing the crime. By tackling the root causes of trafficking and strengthening law enforcement, India can move towards a more effective response to this human rights crisis.
 
INTRODUCTION
Human trafficking, particularly for sexual exploitation, has become a significant global issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. India, unfortunately, has emerged as one of the largest hubs for this heinous crime, and despite concerted efforts, the country continues to grapple with the complexities of combating it. Trafficking in India manifests in various forms, including forced labor, sexual slavery, and organ removal, with women and children being the most vulnerable. While trafficking occurs across all states, regions with high poverty rates and low law enforcement presence are often the most severely impacted.
 
India faces numerous challenges in curbing this rapidly growing criminal industry. The sheer scale of trafficking is vast, with international and domestic trafficking networks often operating in parallel, targeting the country’s most vulnerable populations. Many victims, lured by false promises of employment, education, or marriage, find themselves trapped in a cycle of exploitation that they cannot escape. Traffickers take advantage of India's socio-economic disparities, exploiting the poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment prevalent in marginalized communities. The issue is further exacerbated by the illegal migration of individuals from neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, who often fall prey to trafficking rings once they cross the border.
 
The Indian legal system has developed several frameworks to combat trafficking. Notably, Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code[1] (IPC), introduced as part of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2013, specifically criminalizes the trafficking of individuals for physical and sexual exploitation, servitude, and organ removal. This legal provision marks a significant step in addressing the trafficking problem by categorically defining and prohibiting various forms of exploitation. However, the IPC alone is insufficient to tackle the complex layers of trafficking, prompting the introduction of supplementary laws.
 
The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act[2] (ITPA), originally enacted in 1956, is another significant legal instrument aimed at curbing trafficking, specifically focusing on prostitution-related activities. It prohibits procuring, inducing, or detaining individuals, particularly minors, for prostitution, thereby aiming to protect victims from exploitation. Similarly, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act[3], 2012, focuses on safeguarding children under the age of 18 from sexual offenses, including trafficking for sexual purposes. The combination of these legal measures demonstrates India’s commitment to addressing human trafficking through stringent regulations.
 
However, despite these legal efforts, trafficking in India continues to flourish, driven by several interrelated factors. Poverty remains one of the most significant drivers of human trafficking. Individuals from impoverished backgrounds, lacking access to education and employment, are easy targets for traffickers who promise better lives and financial stability. In regions where economic opportunities are scarce, traffickers prey on the desperation of families, who may unwittingly send their children or relatives into exploitative situations in hopes of a brighter future.
 
Another critical factor fuelling trafficking in India is corruption. Corruption within law enforcement, border control agencies, and even some judicial processes allow traffickers to evade punishment and continue their operations with impunity. In many cases, traffickers bribe officials to avoid arrest or prosecution, and the victims are left unprotected, with their cases either unresolved or ignored altogether. The failure to hold traffickers accountable, combined with corruption, emboldens criminal networks and perpetuates the cycle of exploitation.
 
Weak law enforcement also significantly contributes to the persistence of trafficking. While laws like the IPC, ITPA, and POCSO are in place, their implementation is often inconsistent and inadequate. Many cases of trafficking go unreported due to fear, social stigma, or a lack of awareness about legal rights. Even when cases are reported, investigations are frequently slow, and prosecutions are rare. The lack of adequate training among law enforcement officers to handle trafficking cases, coupled with the absence of a victim-centered approach, further hampers efforts to combat the issue effectively.
 
Moreover, India's vast and porous borders, especially in regions near Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, make it challenging to monitor and control cross-border trafficking. The traffickers exploit these geographic vulnerabilities, smuggling victims in and out of the country with relative ease. The high demand for cheap labor, domestic servitude, and commercial sexual exploitation in both urban and rural areas provides traffickers with a continuous market for their "goods."
 
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of this research are:
v  To examine the causes and methods of human trafficking in India.
v  To analyse crimes related to human trafficking from recent data.
v  To suggest preventive measures for combating human trafficking in India.
 
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This paper relies on secondary data gathered from reputable sources such as the National Crime Record Bureau[4] (NCRB), the District Census Handbook, and reports from non-governmental organizations like Child Rights and You (CRY). The NCRB provides comprehensive statistical data on crimes related to human trafficking, including detailed records on the number of victims, types of trafficking, and crime rates across different regions in India. The District Census Handbook offers critical insights into demographic factors, socio-economic conditions, and population dynamics that influence human trafficking patterns in the country. Together, these sources form a robust foundation for understanding the scope and scale of trafficking in India.
 
In addition to government sources, this paper incorporates data and analysis from CRY[5], a leading NGO that works extensively on child rights and human trafficking. CRY’s reports offer invaluable ground-level perspectives and contextual understanding of how trafficking affects vulnerable populations, especially children. CRY also provides insights into the broader social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to trafficking, such as poverty, gender-based violence, and educational deprivation. Their work, particularly focused on missing children, highlights the alarming connection between child trafficking, kidnappings, and societal inequalities, shedding light on an often-underreported aspect of human trafficking.
 
A systematic approach was adopted for the analysis, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative analysis draws on reports and case studies from CRY and other sources, which provide a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of trafficking victims, as well as the institutional and societal failures that enable trafficking. This is complemented by quantitative data from the NCRB, which offers a statistical overview of the trends in human trafficking crimes over recent years. By integrating both qualitative and quantitative data, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of human trafficking in India, offering both numerical insights and the human stories behind the statistics.
 
CAUSES AND MODES OF TRAFFICKING IN INDIA
Human trafficking in India is driven by a combination of "push" and "pull" factors that operate simultaneously to trap vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children, into exploitative situations. These factors create a complex environment in which trafficking thrives, often targeting those in the most desperate socio-economic circumstances.
 
Push factors primarily refer to conditions in an individual’s life that make them more susceptible to being trafficked. One of the most significant push factors is poverty. Large segments of India's population, especially in rural and economically backward areas, live in extreme poverty, with limited access to resources such as adequate food, healthcare, or housing. Poverty forces individuals and families to make desperate decisions, including trusting traffickers who promise financial security or employment opportunities. Families often sell their daughters or send them away under false promises of work, believing it to be their only chance for survival.
 
Another critical push factor is the lack of education. Illiteracy and low levels of education leave individuals unaware of their rights and the dangers of trafficking. Without education, children, especially girls, are often kept out of school to assist with household chores or are forced into child labor, making them easy targets for traffickers who exploit their naivety and lack of knowledge about the risks. Domestic violence also plays a major role, particularly for women and children. In abusive households, traffickers may promise escape or a better life, but these promises often lead to situations of exploitation and servitude. Similarly, dowry pressures in patriarchal societies push families to view daughters as financial burdens, making them more susceptible to traffickers who offer to marry or employ the girls in exchange for money.
 
On the other hand, pull factors refer to external conditions that attract individuals toward traffickers. One of the main pull factors is the promise of lucrative employment. In the context of widespread unemployment and underemployment, traffickers often lure individuals by offering well-paying jobs in urban centers or abroad. These promises, which range from work in domestic service, factories, or entertainment, often turn out to be false, and the victims find themselves trapped in forced labor or sex work. Another key pull factor is the promise of marriage, which is used as a tool to lure women and girls into trafficking. Traffickers often deceive families by offering marriage proposals, particularly in regions with skewed gender ratios where the demand for brides is high.
 
The demand for cheap labor is another significant pull factor that drives trafficking, particularly in industries such as agriculture, construction, and textile manufacturing. Traffickers prey on vulnerable populations, including children, and subject them to harsh working conditions with little or no pay. The growing demand for domestic workers in urban households also leads to trafficking, as families in cities seek inexpensive labor from rural areas.
 
Additionally, the demand for young girls for marriage and sex work is particularly prevalent in certain regions of India, such as Kashmir. These areas experience heightened demand for young girls due to various socio-political and economic factors, which traffickers exploit. The skewed gender ratios in northern states like Haryana and Punjab, largely due to female feticide, have exacerbated internal trafficking. These regions experience a shortage of women, prompting traffickers to bring girls from distant states like Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal under the guise of marriage proposals. Once trafficked, these girls often end up in forced marriages or prostitution, with no way to escape.
 
Furthermore, migrants from neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh and Nepal, are frequently trafficked into India. These migrants, often seeking better economic opportunities, fall victim to trafficking networks that operate transnationally. Once in India, they are forced into brothels or labor camps, with little chance of returning to their home countries. The porous borders between India and its neighbouring countries facilitate this movement, making it easier for traffickers to smuggle victims across borders and into exploitative conditions. In addition to sex work, these victims are also trafficked for organ harvesting, where traffickers exploit desperate individuals for their organs, which are sold illegally for transplants.
 
Trafficking in women and children in India, thus, operates through a cycle of deception and exploitation. Vulnerable individuals are pushed toward traffickers by poverty, lack of opportunity, and societal pressures, while traffickers pull them in with false promises of work, marriage, or better living conditions. Once trapped, victims face horrific exploitation in industries such as sex work, forced labor, and even organ trafficking, often with little hope of escape. The interplay of these push and pull factors creates a thriving environment for traffickers, highlighting the need for comprehensive policies that address both the socio-economic vulnerabilities and the demand for trafficked individuals in various industries.[6]
 
PROFITS FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING: A KEY
DRIVER OF CRIME
Human trafficking is a highly lucrative criminal activity, motivating traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals for significant financial gain. Traffickers earn substantial profits by exploiting victims in sex work, forced labour, or organ trade. The global demand for cheap labour and the flourishing underground sex industry in India ensures a steady flow of trafficked individuals.
 
The financial incentives are stark: trafficking involves minimal upfront investment compared to other illegal trades like drugs or arms. However, the profit margins are extremely high because traffickers can repeatedly exploit the same victims over time, increasing the economic yield of their "investment." According to the NCRB, human traffickers operate with relatively low risk, given the weak law enforcement in many regions of India and the limited prosecution of offenders.
 
The CRY report adds to this perspective, noting that economic disparities, coupled with a lack of opportunities, push traffickers to offer false promises of employment or a better life to lure vulnerable families. For many traffickers, this crime becomes a business, with profits driving them to engage in increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks. This profit-driven nature of human trafficking ensures its continued prevalence, particularly in regions with poor socio-economic conditions.
 
The profit-driven motives of human traffickers exacerbate other causes of trafficking, such as poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality. Traffickers often target families in rural or economically disadvantaged areas, offering false promises of lucrative jobs or marriage prospects for their daughters. As the trafficking industry grows, traffickers expand their reach, exploiting more victims for greater profit. The high demand for cheap labor, domestic servants, and individuals in the sex trade further fuels this crime.
 
Traffickers also benefit from the relatively low risk of apprehension. Weak law enforcement, combined with corruption and inadequate investigation efforts, allows trafficking networks to operate with impunity. As long as traffickers can continue to profit without facing significant legal consequences, they remain motivated to exploit vulnerable individuals.
 
Human trafficking is deeply rooted in profit-making, making it a highly persistent crime in India. The high financial rewards for traffickers, combined with the exploitation of vulnerable populations, perpetuate this illegal industry. Effective solutions require stronger law enforcement, better economic opportunities for vulnerable communities, and targeted efforts to disrupt the financial incentives that drive traffickers. Addressing these root causes is essential for reducing human trafficking and protecting the rights and dignity of trafficked individuals.[7]
 
CRIMES RELATED TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) address crimes related to trafficking, including:
v  Section 366-A (Procuration of minor girls)
v  Section 366-B (Importation of girls from foreign countries)
v  Section 372 and 373 (Buying and selling of minors for prostitution)
v  Section 370 & 370-A (Human trafficking)
According to NCRB data, cases of procuration of minor girls rose by 65% in 2014, while cases of buying minors for prostitution increased by 133.3% during the same year. Notably, West Bengal reported the highest number of cases in the procuration and selling of minors for prostitution.[8]
CRIME DATA ANALYSIS
The report provides a breakdown of trafficking-related crimes:
In 2014, India reported 5,466 human trafficking cases, a 59.7% increase from 2010 and up from 3,940 in 2013. Cases involving the procuration of minor girls rose by 65%, with West Bengal (852 cases), Assam (303), Bihar (280), and Haryana (277) leading. However, the importation of girls from abroad fell by 58.1%, from 31 in 2013 to 13 in 2014.
 
Eighty-two cases of selling minors for prostitution were reported, an 18% decrease from the previous year, with West Bengal accounting for 67 cases (81.7%). Conversely, buying minors for prostitution surged by 133.3%, with 7 cases in Maharashtra and 4 in Jharkhand.
 
Under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, cases rose by 1.5%, with Tamil Nadu reporting 509 and Karnataka 392. A total of 3,351 victims (595 males and 2,756 females) were identified. Additionally, 720 cases under Sections 370 and 370A of the IPC were reported, with Jharkhand leading at 150 cases, followed by Maharashtra (108), Assam (68), and West Bengal (55). Kerala recovered 2,605 victims from 1,106 cases.
 
Preventive measures include enhancing border control to combat cross-border trafficking, implementing social policies to boost job opportunities, and raising awareness through community programs and media campaigns.
 
The data shows a significant rise in crimes related to human trafficking, with a 38.7% increase in overall cases between 2013 and 2014.[9]
 
CRY'S FINDINGS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN INDIA 2022
Human trafficking in India, particularly for sexual exploitation, forced labor, and organ trafficking, remains widespread. Despite efforts to address it, trafficking is often hidden, making the full scale of the issue difficult to grasp. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) provides crucial data on its prevalence. Trafficking-related crimes, including procuring minor girls and selling them for prostitution, have increased significantly, with West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and Haryana being the most affected. A 2022 report by Child Rights and You (CRY) reveals that on average, 172 girls go missing and almost three are trafficked daily, reflecting the deep-rooted socio-economic issues in India. In 2022, 6,036 trafficking victims were identified, of whom 1,059 were girls Trafficking is driven by factors such as poverty, lack of education, and gender discrimination. CRY notes that many missing girls are suspected victims of trafficking, with 75% of all missing children in 2022 being female. Many of these girls are forced into labor, sex work, or domestic servitude. [10]
 
 
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Border Control:
Effective monitoring of cross-border trafficking is a critical component in combating human trafficking in India. Given the country's porous borders, particularly with neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, it is relatively easy for traffickers to smuggle victims across national lines. This makes secure vigilance in known trafficking routes essential. Authorities need to increase surveillance at border checkpoints and implement advanced technology, such as biometric identification systems and enhanced databases, to track the movement of individuals. Additionally, coordination between border security forces and anti-trafficking units is crucial. For instance, establishing joint task forces with neighboring countries to monitor trafficking hotspots and share intelligence on trafficking networks can lead to more efficient interceptions of traffickers. Regular patrols and inspections at critical border points, along with training law enforcement personnel to recognize the signs of trafficking, can help stem the flow of trafficked individuals across borders.
 
Economic and Social Policies:
Addressing the economic and social inequalities that fuel human trafficking is imperative. Improving social protection measures, such as providing financial safety nets and expanding access to healthcare and education, can reduce the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit. Special focus should be placed on creating employment opportunities for marginalized communities, especially women, who are often more susceptible to trafficking due to their limited economic options. Government policies must also aim to eliminate workplace discrimination and promote equal pay and fair working conditions for women, ensuring that they have the same access to jobs as men. This can be achieved by enforcing strict labor laws that guarantee women's rights in the workforce, and by providing vocational training programs that help women gain skills necessary for sustainable employment. Moreover, policies that promote gender equality and combat domestic violence will reduce the socio-economic pressures that often lead families to fall into the traps of traffickers. Investing in rural development programs that target vulnerable communities can help alleviate poverty and reduce migration, which is often a key factor that traffickers exploit.
 
Awareness Programs:
Raising awareness about the dangers of human trafficking is one of the most effective ways to prevent vulnerable populations from falling prey to traffickers. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and law enforcement agencies can collaborate to conduct community outreach programs, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged areas, where people are less likely to be aware of trafficking risks. Media campaigns that utilize television, radio, social media, and print outlets can disseminate crucial information about how traffickers operate, and what steps individuals and families can take to protect themselves. Additionally, village programs that involve local leaders, schools, and community organizations can serve as platforms to educate the public, especially women and children, about the importance of staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activities. Law enforcement can also play a role by organizing workshops and public seminars that teach people how to recognize signs of trafficking and how to seek help if they suspect someone is being trafficked. School-based education programs can be effective in teaching children about the dangers of trafficking, while peer education networks can help young people look out for each other and provide support. Engaging religious leaders, who are influential in many communities, can further strengthen efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking.
 
Legislative Measures:
Strengthening anti-trafficking legislation is crucial to effectively combat trafficking in India. While the country has several laws in place, including the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA) and provisions within the Indian Penal Code (IPC), there are still gaps in the legal framework that traffickers exploit. One of the key steps is to ensure that laws are regularly updated to address evolving trafficking tactics, such as the use of online platforms for recruitment. Enforcing strict penalties for traffickers, including long prison sentences and heavy fines, serves as a strong deterrent. However, laws alone are not enough if they are not effectively implemented. Law enforcement and judicial authorities need to be properly trained to handle trafficking cases sensitively and thoroughly. Specialized anti-trafficking units should be set up in high-risk areas, and fast-track courts should be established to ensure that trafficking cases are resolved quickly, minimizing the risk of victims being re-trafficked or intimidated into withdrawing their complaints. Enhancing international cooperation is also vital, as trafficking networks often operate across borders. India must work closely with international organizations, such as Interpol and the United Nations, to share intelligence, coordinate investigations, and participate in cross-border operations to dismantle trafficking rings. Bilateral and multilateral agreements with neighbouring countries should focus on joint efforts to crack down on trafficking networks, recover victims, and prosecute traffickers. Furthermore, ensuring that victim protection and rehabilitation services are built into the legal system is essential for the long-term recovery of trafficked individuals.
 
By integrating these measures—border control, economic and social policy reforms, awareness campaigns, and legislative improvements—India can take significant strides toward eradicating human trafficking and providing a safer environment for its vulnerable populations.
 
DISPOSABLE PEOPLE: NEW SLAVERY IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY (2012), AUTHOR: KEVIN BALES[11]
In this book, human trafficking expert Kevin Bale examines stories from Pakistan, India, Thailand, Brazil, and other countries. Because of the dramatic increase in population in these areas, millions of people are poor, desperate, and vulnerable to trafficking and slavery. Through case studies, Bales concludes that what makes modern slavery different than slavery in the past is that these slaves aren’t viewed as long-term investments. They are cheap and disposable because a trafficker or slaveholder can always get someone else. Disposable People was nominated for a Pulitzer.
 
Kevin Bales is the co-founder and former president of Free the Slaves, the world’s largest abolitionist organization. He’s the author of numerous books on trafficking and a consultant to the United Nations Global Program Against Trafficking in Human Rights. All Bales’ royalties from this book go to help fund anti-slavery projects.
 
CONCLUSION
According to the International Labour Organization[12], human trafficking brings in $150 billion per year. The sale of human beings can be found in every country in the world. Despite the prevalence of the problem on a global scale and attempts to raise awareness, the industry continues to thrive due to factors like poverty, climate change, and conflict.
 
Human trafficking is a heartbreaking violation of human dignity, and it casts a dark shadow over India's most vulnerable populations. Every day, countless women, children, and marginalized individuals are torn from their homes, stripped of their freedom, and forced into unimaginable horrors—sold into sexual slavery, forced labor, or worse. These are not just statistics; they are human beings, each with dreams, hopes, and the right to a life of safety and respect. Yet, despite the existence of laws meant to protect them, too many slip through the cracks, lost in a system that often fails to deliver justice or protection.
 
Behind every trafficking victim is a story of desperation—of families crushed by poverty, of young girls lured by false promises of a better future, and of children robbed of their innocence. The pain and trauma they endure are beyond words, often leaving scars that last a lifetime. While there are laws in place, they mean little if they are not enforced with compassion and urgency. The gap between legislation and action is a chasm where lives are shattered and dreams die.
 
India cannot afford to look away. It is not enough to have legal frameworks; we need real commitment—one driven by the will to save these precious lives. The government must act with determination, and law enforcement must pursue traffickers with unrelenting resolve. We need strong political leadership, not just to pass laws but to ensure they are implemented in every corner of the country. Every trafficked person is a human being who deserves to be rescued, who deserves a future.
 
If we fail to address this atrocity with the urgency it demands, the cycle of exploitation will only deepen, condemning more lives to fear and suffering. Human trafficking is a stain on our collective conscience. It steals not just freedom but the very essence of humanity. Let us act before more lives are torn apart, before more futures are destroyed. Only then can we begin to restore dignity and hope to those who need it the most.
 
References:
1.      Government of India, India Country Report 2013. 
2.      Walk Free Foundation, Global Slavery Index 2014.
3.      U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report 2008.
4.      National Crime Records Bureau, Data from 2010-2014.
5.      CRY, Report 2022.
6.      NCRB Report.

[1] Indian Penal Code, 1860. Act No. 45 of 1860.
[2] Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. Act 104 of 1956.
[3] The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Act no. 32 of 2012.
[7] Toman Omar Mahmoud and Christoph Trebesch, The Economic Drivers of Human Trafficking, 2005.
[11] Kevin Bales, Disposable People: New Slavery In The Global Economy (2012).