Maharashtra has once again emerged as one of the most affected states in India for human trafficking, according to the latest Crime in India 2024 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The data highlights a continued pattern of exploitation targeting women, girls, and children, despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
Maharashtra Among the Highest-Affected States
The NCRB data shows that Telangana recorded the highest number of trafficking cases in 2024, while Maharashtra ranked second.
In previous years, Maharashtra recorded:
This indicates that the state continues to remain a persistent hotspot, even with fluctuating yearly figures.
Victim Profile: Women and Children Most Affected
A total of 892 victims were identified in Maharashtra in 2024, with nearly all rescued during enforcement operations.
Breakdown of victims:
The data clearly shows that women and girls form the overwhelming majority of victims, reinforcing concerns about gender-based vulnerability in trafficking networks.
Forms of Exploitation
Human trafficking in Maharashtra continues to be largely driven by sexual exploitation.
Key purposes of trafficking:
Beyond these categories, investigations have also revealed that victims are often pushed into bonded labour, domestic servitude, child marriage, begging rings, and illegal adoption-related crimes.
Cross-Border Trafficking Network
The scale of trafficking is not limited to domestic movement alone. Rescued victims in 2024 included:
This highlights the cross-border nature of trafficking operations, suggesting involvement of organised international and interstate networks.
National Scenario: Slight Decline, Persistent Crisis
At the national level, India reported 5,839 trafficking cases in 2024, a slight decrease of 3.3% from 6,043 cases in 2023. However, experts note that the decline does not fully reflect the depth of the problem.
Notably:
Top contributing states (2024):
Long-Term Pattern: Maharashtra Remains a Key Hotspot
Maharashtra has consistently ranked among the top states for trafficking cases, particularly those linked to sexual exploitation, since 2017. Despite the presence of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) across districts, organised crime groups continue to adapt and operate through sophisticated networks.
Key Challenges Ahead
The NCRB data points to several ongoing challenges:
Conclusion
While national figures show a marginal decline, Maharashtra’s continued presence among the top trafficking-affected states underscores a deeper structural issue. The data reflects not just enforcement gaps, but also the persistent socio-economic vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit.
Strengthening intelligence-led policing, improving interstate coordination, and ensuring long-term rehabilitation of survivors remain critical to addressing the crisis effectively.
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