BRIDGING THE STRUCTURAL DIVIDE: EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY AND CHALLENGES OF INDIAS SECURITY FORCES IN COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

India is a unique country in terms of geographical and socio-economical differences and hence, there is a continued and increasing threat of human trafficking in the country which is the most rampant human rights violation in the world. The paper analyses the working dynamics, position and roles of the Indian Security Forces in combating human trafficking and its institutional issues. 104 security personnel and experts participated in the mixed methods approach. To consider the difference between the perceived importance of policing on the one hand and the practical obstacles encountered at operations on the ground. The key findings of the study identified an important Capacity Building Paradox: 96.8% of all security personnel surveyed saw anti-trafficking training as a key component of their work but almost 80% of those surveyed have not taken such training. In addition, the study concluded that systemic issues emerged with the crime-to-courtroom approach, such as the practice of jurisdictional fiction, judicial delay, and lack of victim protection. The paper underlines the critical need for bridging the gap between the victim and the police in implementing a technologically advanced and victim-centric approach by all level of police and the importance of institutionali sing it at all levels of police to overthrow the contemporary and techno-driven trafficking syndicates for sustainable effect.