The title "Immoral Traffic - Prostitution in India" would no doubt be a handy treatise for the guardians of law and morals. It will help them rise up to the occasion in tackling the problem of trafficking and prostitution, which had led to the rise and spread of HIV / AIDS.

2) Dealing with the subject with dexterity, the author Thiru. V. Sithannan lists out the various laws enacted by the Government of India and the States, elaborating on the efficacy, the ways and implementation of the Acts in letter and spirit.

3) The book contains exhaustive checklists for police officers and also guide posts for NGOs, which could be of great help to these agencies as well as judicial officers, social activists and gender rights workers.

4) A current of humanism is discernible throughout the book. The author not only expresses his compassion for the victims of prostitution but is also equally concerned with their rescue, rehabilitation and honourable placement in society on par with others.

5) The international agencies and Human Right Commissions involved in the crusade against trafficking and arresting the spread of the dreaded HIV / AIDS will find the book valuable.

6) Apart from narrating the historical background and the impact of prostitution, the author has also drawn a comparative picture of the legal status of Immoral Trafficking in other countries along with the description of related instruments of Law aimed at combating this menace.

7) Case laws quoted with reference to the topic would be a major source of reference material for the officials charged with the enforcement and Government servants dealing with the subject.

8) The title is a scholarly attempt at a very appropriate time when the scourge of HIV / AIDS is catching up as a wild fire capable of affecting economic future of the country.

D. Mukherjee, IPS
Director General of Police,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Dated on :03-10-2006

The law enforcer, the law graduate, the humanist, the social researcher and the scholar in Mr.V. Sithannan are awake and the result is the comprehensive, yet concise book on “Immoral Traffic - Prostitution in India”.

The oldest profession of the world now rings death knell for those who are indiscriminate. HIV/AIDS have become the most dangerous threat the human kind can ever face and India remains the most threatened nation. Ethical, moral and legal issues come to the fore while we discuss how to save the humankind from the ever-expanding threat of HIV/AIDS.

The author’s social consciousness has galvanized him to undertake a research to bring out this excellent book aimed at the Police, Legal, Judicial and Medical authorities and the NGOs. The book not only traces the problem in its historic perspective across the globe but also brings to light the plight of the victims in the age of globalization.

The author, being a consummate professional, has elaborately brought out the powers vested with the law enforcers; the checklist given by him would facilitate an Investigator for a fail-proof investigation and successful prosecution.

The case studies and judgements provided in this book would be very helpful to the legal and judicial fraternity. The medical details would help the NGOs who work for the upliftment of those afflicted with HIV/AIDS. This book can serve as a useful guide even for educationists and students of social and women studies and researchers.

The book is user-friendly. It supplements the Herculean efforts taken by premier agencies such as the UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNAIDS, USAIDS, UNODC, UNDP, National and State Human Rights Commissions and other genuine NGOs to create awareness among the people on the harmful impact of HIV/AIDS arising out of prostitution and immoral traffic.

Having worked with Mr. Sithannan, I am aware of his great potential and enthusiasm to scale newer heights. This is the 2nd feather in his cap and the first one being the “Guide to Crime Investigation” which was well received by the Police Community. I am sure this book, aimed at a wider audience, would receive similar acceptance.

I appreciate his for his noble thoughts and stupendous efforts.

K. Radhakrishnan, IPS
Inspector General of Police,
North Zone,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Dated on :17-08-2006

Thiru V. Sithannan, DSP and Vigilance Officer, Corporation of Chennai is not the typical Police Officer. He is a police academician in the real sense of the term. His stint at the Police Training College, Chennai resulted in the publication of a “Guide to Crime Investigation” and a monograph titled “Investigation of offences under the ITP Act”. Popular among the trainees as a regular member of the faculty, he appears to have enriched himself in the process of teaching. It is indeed a remarkable feat that he has found time to write on a topical issue, which has engaged the attention of academicians, social scientists, and NGOs in recent years.

Changing mores and globalization have all affected the institution in more ways than one. I congratulate Tr. Sithannan for having come out with his scholarly work on “Immoral Traffic”. The book discusses the issue in detail in its entire dimension and lays bare to the reader the complexities of the problem. The entire gamut of factors - origin of the institution. The legal frameowrk, investigation, the plight of victims, human rights and modern day perspective - have been dissected and detailed.

Tr. Sithannan is that rare combination of a dedicated Police Officer and Scholar. He deserves all the praise for his masterly contribution to police literature.

T. Rajendran, IPS
Inspector General of Police (Technical Services),
Tamil Nadu, India.
Dated on :17-08-2006