Trafficking survivors and Article 21

In Prajwala v. Union of India, the Supreme Court adopted a robust victim‑centric approach, holding that rehabilitation of trafficking survivors is not a matter of charity but an integral component of the right to live with dignity under Article 21. The Court issued a comprehensive “Victim Protection Plan” covering pre‑rescue, rescue, post‑rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration and prosecution stages, coupled with legislative and policy recommendations to plug gaps in India’s anti‑trafficking framework.^[4][1]

Chambal illegal sand mining: environmental continuing mandamus

In Illegal Sand Mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and Threat to Endangered Aquatic Wildlife, In re, the Court treated protection of ecologically sensitive regions as a “continuing constitutional obligation” of the State under Articles 21, 48‑A and 51‑A(g). Exercising Article 142, it issued sweeping directions to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to curb illegal sand mining and ensure effective implementation of environmental safeguards around the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.^[4]