NHRC Responds to Allegations of Minor Trafficking in Maharashtra
The NHRC has initiated an inquiry into reports of minor girls being trafficked from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to Maharashtra.
NHRC takes notice of trafficking allegations involving minor girls.
Parents reportedly sell daughters due to poverty, with prices between ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
Girls are later sold for ₹35 lakh to ₹40 lakh in the sex trade, with identities altered.
On November 3, 2026, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) announced it is taking suo motu cognizance of alarming media reports regarding the trafficking of minor girls from border districts in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to various locations in Maharashtra. This decision comes in light of serious allegations that parents, driven by dire financial circumstances, have been selling their daughters to middlemen for sums ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
According to the reports cited by the NHRC, these middlemen utilize forged documentation to misrepresent the girls as their adopted children, facilitating their illegal transport to Maharashtra. The situation raises significant concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable families and the systemic issues contributing to such trafficking practices.
Further investigations revealed that once these girls reach adulthood, they are sold into the sex trade for amounts between ₹35 lakh and ₹40 lakh. Disturbingly, their personal details are often altered to obscure their identities, complicating efforts to trace their origins and protect their rights. The NHRC has highlighted these findings as serious violations of human rights, necessitating immediate action.
In response to these grave allegations, the NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The commission has requested comprehensive reports on the trafficking issue to be submitted within a two-week timeframe, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these human rights violations.
Looking ahead, the NHRC's inquiry could lead to significant policy changes and enhanced protective measures for vulnerable populations. The commission's actions may also prompt law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts in combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of minors across the region.
