Expressing concern over trafficking of girls, a three judge bench headed by Justice A R Dave asked the Union Cabinet Secretary to set up a high-powered inter-ministerial committee to deal with the issue.
The bench, also comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph, sought a report by November 15 on the progress made in setting up of the Organised Crimes Investigating Agency (OCIA) for investigating the cases of human trafficking as such offences involve many states.
The MHA will collate the data and will file an affidavit before November 18, the next date of hearing, the court said.
During the hearing, the court hailed the steps taken by the Centre and National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on issues like prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of the victims of trafficking for commercial and sexual exploitation.
NALSA had suggested roles of various stakeholders in the prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking for commercial and sexual exploitation and had sought a direction to the Centre that the OCIA be set up to investigate the cases of human trafficking and organised crime.
Earlier, the court had asked the Centre to come out with an action plan to prevent trafficking of girls for sexual exploitation, their rescue and rehabilitation after holding discussions with all states.