New Delhi, Dec. 2 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate reinstatement of a Varanasi-based sweeper couple who were terminated from service by a contractor engaged by the Municipal Corporation, for exposing an alleged child-trafficking racket in the state.

The bench, led by Justice JB Pardiwala, directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to reinstate the couple to service by 12 pm (within 55 minutes of the time of hearing), warning that failure to comply would result in the suspension of the responsible authority.

The court took cognisance of the couple's plea, noting that their termination was "disheartening and shocking."

"What has been brought to us by the amicus is both disheartening and shocking. We were informed that Pinki...