New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS): Apex human rights panel, the NHRC has sought a report from Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi over steps taken to keep a check on the mushrooming placement agencies which are the "hubs and transit point for human trafficking".

Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report that surging demand for domestic help in Delhi is encouraging human trafficking by unregulated placement agencies, the NHRC said that "hundreds of agencies are reportedly involved in the business of selling domestic workers".

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a reply from Bassi within two weeks on the number of placement agencies, registered or unregistered, functioning in Delhi as well as the steps taken to keep a check on them.

Calling placement agencies "hubs and transit point for human trafficking", it blamed them for exploiting tribals, mostly women and children and those hailing from rural areas.