PINKI v. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND ANR | CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1927 OF 2025

On Tuesday, April 15, the Supreme Court of India issued a strict order to stop newborn trafficking, declaring that hospitals that are discovered to be involved in such horrible activities shall immediately have their licenses revoked. The Court underlined that any case of baby trafficking from a hospital must result in both legal repercussions and regulatory measures, such as the facility’s operating license being suspended.
According to the bench’s ruling, which was signed by Justices J. B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, if a newborn baby is smuggled from a hospital, the facility shall be immediately subject to a suspension of its operating license in addition to other legal measures.

The Court further emphasized the duty of care that healthcare facilities have, noting that when a woman gives birth in a hospital, the facility’s administration has an obligation to safeguard the newborn in every way.
While rescinding the bail granted to thirteen individuals accused of child trafficking throughout the State of Uttar Pradesh, the court made this statement. The Court remarked that the State of Uttar Pradesh did not handle the issue seriously and criticized the State for not contesting the bail rulings. The Allahabad High Court was also criticized by the court for awarding the defendants bail in a “very callous manner”.
Referring to an April 14 Times of India story, the Court noted that a large gang seemed to be operating dangerously both inside and outside of Delhi, selling trafficked babies and children in several States for prices ranging from Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 10,000,000.

The Court observed that the traffickers in the current child abduction ring are well connected via their smartphones, exchanging whereabouts, photos, money transfers, and other information. They demonstrate that they understand technology, recognize demand, and understand the need of working as a network by their operations and the relative ease with which they are able to function and find purchasers for the children they sell outside of their states.