Home Minister calls for closer police–prosecution coordination
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha has called for tighter coordination between police and prosecutors to boost conviction rates in bonded labour and human trafficking cases.
At a state-level workshop in Visakhapatnam, she said prosecutors must be involved right from the charge sheet stage to build stronger cases and ensure stricter punishment for offenders. The session, organised by the Directorate of Prosecutions with the International Justice Mission, focused on improving legal responses to exploitation.
Anitha highlighted the importance of collecting forensic evidence within the “golden hour” after a crime, saying timely action can significantly improve court outcomes.
She cited a recent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act case in Ongole, where a 20-year sentence was secured quickly, crediting coordinated efforts. She also pointed to ‘Operation Trace’, under which authorities rescued about 900 children and 180 people stranded abroad.
The minister urged the use of advanced tools, including AI, in investigations, noting that specialised training programmes are already underway. Rescued bonded labourers, she said, receive ₹30,000 in central aid along with state-backed skill development for rehabilitation.
“A victim-centric, time-bound prosecution process is essential. Strong prosecution acts as a deterrent,” she said.
Shankabrata Bagchi noted that paying below minimum wages amounts to forced labour under Article 23 of the Constitution. He also highlighted safeguards under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, including in-camera trials and audio-visual evidence recording.
Calling human trafficking an organised crime, Bagchi stressed stronger international cooperation, including extradition treaties and Interpol notices, and suggested attaching the accused persons’ properties to compensate victims.
Officials from the International Justice Mission emphasised specialised training, data-driven prosecution, and a deeper understanding of trafficking networks and victim vulnerabilities.
Around 200 prosecution officers attended the workshop, which covered legal frameworks, case-building, victim protection, and inter-agency coordination. Senior officials, including Andhra Pradesh prosecution director Ramakoteshwara Rao and IJM state programme director Clement David, were present.